10/15/18
Schaff, Philip. History of the Christian Church (The Complete Eight Volumes in One). Amazon Kindle Edition, 2014.
Volume 2, Ante-Nicene Christianity A.D. 100-325, “Chapter 8. Christian life in Contrast with Pagan Corruption.” Sections 88-103, Loc. 16158-17158.
§ 102. Treatment of the Dead.
Schaff observes that funeral traditions have always been considered important, and that the dead are always given honors (Schaff 2014, Loc. 17078). Christianity, with a doctrine of the soul’s immortality and the hope of the bodily resurrection, made the care for the dead even more intense (Schaff 2014, Loc. 17087). Christians were even known to provide for burial of non-Christians who died in plagues. This showed the broader culture the regard Christians had for the dead (Schaff 2014, Loc. 17093). Death in Christianity lost the signs of loud weeping and disfigurement, for the Christian was viewed as sleeping in Christ (Schaff 2014, Loc. 17103). This also led to the consecrated cemeteries, seen as places to peacefully await the Lord’s coming (Schaff 2014, Loc. 17119).