National Board Of Examination (NBE) Arts Practice Exam

Which religious groups prohibit cremation?

1. Buddhists and Hindus

2. Roman Catholics and Sikhs

3. Orthodox Jews and Muslims

4. Reform Jews and Christians

The correct answer is: Orthodox Jews and Muslims

The correct answer highlights that Orthodox Jews and Muslims generally prohibit cremation due to their religious beliefs and practices surrounding death and burial. In Judaism, particularly among Orthodox Jews, the body is considered sacred and burial is the customary practice to honor the deceased in accordance with Halakha, or Jewish law. This tradition emphasizes the importance of allowing the body to return to the earth in a respectful manner, as per the biblical teaching that humans were created from dust and will return to dust. Similarly, in Islam, cremation is also prohibited. Muslims believe in the sanctity of the body and that it should be buried as soon as possible after death. The burial practice aligns with the belief in resurrection on the Day of Judgment, which reinforces the necessity of maintaining the body intact until that time. In contrast, Buddhists and Hindus, while holding diverse views on death and cremation, typically accept cremation as a meaningful practice that helps in the release of the soul. Roman Catholics and Sikhs may permit cremation under certain circumstances, although traditional burials are more common. Reform Jews generally have more flexibility regarding practices and beliefs, including cremation. Therefore, the distinction made by identifying Orthodox Jews and Muslims as groups that prohibit cremation is rooted in their