Q. Can Mormons get cremated after death?
The answer more and more is yes. Please see the article on Organ Donation and the Resurrection.
The real issue is how we respect our bodies, and cremation seems a little harsh to Western sensibilities, but as the Church becomes more global, it has accepted the ways that death is dealt with around the world. The advise is to pray about it, consult with your bishop if necessary, and act as the Spirit directs.
This post comes from the following question: “What do mormans [sic] believe about original sin?”
This question is most simply answered by a statement Joseph Smith gave about our beliefs: “We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.” (AoF 1:2)
We also believe that “every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning” (D&C 93:38). Additionally, men are “free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil” (2 Ne 2:27). In short, this means that we are not inherently evil because of an “original sin”. Rather, we are created innocent with the freedom to choose good or evil and are accountable for only the choices we make and not for the choices Adam made.
That being said, the fall of Adam did introduce the possibilities of sin and death to his posterity (i.e. us). Thus, while not being directly accountable to God for a decision we never made, Adam’s transgression does nonetheless affect us (Alma 42:5–9, 14).
For more information, see the following:
Q. Why do members dress the deceased and not the funeral directors?
In many cases members of the Church dress their relatives for the grave rather than having the funeral directors do so. To understand why, some knowledge of the LDS temple ceremony is essential. One purpose of the temple is to prepare a person to meet God in the afterlife, part of the process includes the wearing of certain ceremonial clothing which has significance to those who go through the temple. So when Mormons die, if they have been through the temple and received the ordinances then they can wear the ceremonial clothing in preparation for their day of resurrection.
If a funeral director were not a member of the church he would not understand the clothing nor the significance it holds for members. Therefore when members of the church die family members or ward leaders take on the responsibility of dressing the body.
Q. What happens if someone vicariously performs a sealing for a deceased couple that doesn’t want to be sealed together?
First, to understand this situation, an understanding must be had of sealing and of work for the dead.
Briefly put, sealing is the term used for being married in the temple. It is an ordinance performed that binds a man and woman together not just til “death do they part”, but for time and all eternity. Read more about this subject here.
The word “vicariously” in the question refers to the fact that God has given man power to perform sacred ordinances for the dead who did not receive those ordinances while they were alive. Thus, as Paul alludes to in I Corinthians 15:29, we can be baptized for those who did not receive that opportunity during their time on Earth. Similarly, we can perform sealings for deceased couples. Read more about this subject here.
On to the question at hand. What if that couple who is sealed together didn’t want to be sealed together? Are they going to have to just put up with each other F-O-R-E-V-E-R? For instance, if King Henry VIII was vicariously sealed to his wife Anne Boleyn, would she just have to overlook the cruelty and death she suffered at his hand? No. Common sense and truth coincide nicely for us here. As lds.org, the official website of the church, explains:
Some people have misunderstood that when baptisms for the dead are performed, deceased persons are baptized into the Church against their will. This is not the case. Each individual has agency, or the right to choose. The validity of a baptism for the dead depends on the deceased person accepting it and choosing to accept and follow the Savior while residing in the spirit world. The names of deceased persons are not added to the membership records of the Church. (cited from this webpage, under heading entitled “Additional Information”)
But I say, to avoid any such confusing situations, how about we all just love our spouses and desire to be with them for eternity? In fact, if you, my article-reading friend, happen to be married I challenge you, right now, to think of one nice thing you can do for your spouse today. Now go and do and have a wonderful day.
Q. Do Mormons pray to or for the dead?
To the first part, no; we do not pray to the dead. We pray to God the Eternal Father. We believe in His Son, Jesus Christ and we end our prayers in Jesus’ name. We believe that the Father and the Son are both very much alive.
Perhaps you are referring to the uniquely Mormon practice of baptism for the dead. It’s not exactly a prayer to or for the departed, but an ordinance and covenant made on their behalf. If that is what you meant, please read Baptisms for the Dead.
Regarding prayer for the dead, I would begin by recommending reading some of our other articles on prayer. Most recently, I like the way this one addresses how we pray and what we pray about. Personally, I would say there’s nothing wrong with praying for deceased loved ones. In fact, I think it’s a wonderful idea. The prophet Joseph Smith received revelation pertaining to the eternal welfare of his late elder brother, Alvin. I am sure the prophet Joseph prayed for his brother many times; he and his wife Emma likely prayed for the many children they lost as well. I know I have personally prayed for loved ones who have passed on, both those I knew in life and those I did not have the opportunity to meet.
There is a great bond that joins all generations. As Malachi of old prophesied, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6).
So go ahead and pray for deceased loved ones. God will undoubtedly hear you.