Lay Me in God’s Good Earth: A Christian Approach to Death and Burial
By Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke (IVP)
This isn’t the kind of book most people think about picking up and reading. Fair enough. But if a person expects to die or take care of burying someone who has died, Lay Me in God’s Good Earth is a book worth at least a perusal.
The most practical readers will want to begin in the appendices with the cost comparisons of natural burial, conventional burial and cremation. The accountants among us may not need any more than those two pages.
Others will want the book for the burial planning guide in the appendices. The plan walks the reader through everything from care decisions before death through the many details of the funeral or memorial service and obituary. It also includes information about military and veteran funerals.
Still others will want to read the explanation of embalming, which tells more than most know about the process of preserving a dead body. Or its discussion of caring for a loved one’s body after death. Or the reminder of Jesus’ resurrection that promises life beyond earthly death.
Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke make the case for natural burial. They explain the origins of cremation and conventional burial and how these differ—not just practically, but also theologically—from natural burial.
For those with the time to consider and weigh the options, Lay Me in God’s Good Earth can be a helpful resource. It is scheduled to release Aug. 20.
Eric Black, executive director/publisher/editor
Baptist Standard
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