Burial and Temple Clothes

An old stalwart of our ward recently passed away and I was asked to help dress him in his temple clothes. I had never done it before but I didn’t mind. The clothes were his own, something that’s probably more common now because more of us own our own clothes because of the smaller temples. I do recall from my days in the bishopric that there are a couple extra sets of robes, etc., in the bishop’s office in case a deceased member doesn’t have their own.

That said, I don’t get it either. I’m not much of a funeral person, there are lots of things I don’t get about them – like why do people want to go look at a corpse supposedly as a way to honor them? Anyway, I do recognize that funerals are for the living and not for the dead but I still don’t want one and also desire to be cremated. If not cremated, put me in a cardboard box without embalming (or bury me in the garden next to the stupid lion) and unto dust shall I return. If there is a physical resurrection, I don’t believe it is the same body we have now including the clothing. I also recognize others believe differently.

I want a green burial. It’s cheaper and better for the environment (no casket & the body is harvested for organs). There is no way the polyester temple dress is green. Besides, I feel like amateur parent. I don’t enjoy the temple because it’s so sexist, so why would I want my corpse to be wrapped in the ugliest dress I own, a symbol of a woman’s secondary status in the church?

I want a green burial. It’s cheaper and better for the environment (no casket & the body is harvested for organs). There is no way the polyester temple dress is green. Besides, I feel like amateur parent. I don’t enjoy the temple because it’s so sexist, so why would I want my corpse to be wrapped in the ugliest dress I own, a symbol of a woman’s secondary status in the church?

I know you don’t want to be buried in temple clothes at all, but I did want to point out that when I was studying up on dressing the guy I discovered there are biodegradable temple clothes available for such circumstances.

I told my family that since I’ll be dead that I don’t care how I’m buried. I did say I’d like to be buried in a casket that looks like a batmobile. Seriously I don’t care.

But is there something in our doctrine that dictates that we be buried in temple clothing?

I believe it’s more of a tradition thing than a doctrine thing. Of course we believe that the endowment is both for this life and for the next life but that doesn’t mean we lounge around the house in temple clothing all day. I think it stems from the belief that the endowment is really instruction that allows us to pass literal angels that serve as literal sentinels. Even then it’s a bit odd. Does the resurrection cover clothing as well? If not I’d rather pick up a “fresh pack” of clothing. Then there’s the cremation thing.

It’s probably more for the family. They see their loved one buried in temple clothing and it might be another way of saying that all things were square between the deceased and the lord. Kind of like a more visible way of saying the deceased died with a TR… even in cases where they didn’t have one. In other words, the person was buried in temple clothing, they are worthy, I have my peace of mind concerning the state of their soul.

But now that this thread has popped up, I wonder…is there really an option?

Here’s the language from the handbook. The first sentence also appears in handbook 2, Section 9.10.3.

If possible, deceased members who were endowed should be buried in temple clothing. If cultural traditions or burial practices make this inappropriate or difficult, the clothing may be folded and placed next to the body in the casket.

And later in that same section:

The Church does not normally encourage cremation. However, if the body of an endowed member is being cremated, it should be dressed in temple clothing if possible.

It’s my opinion that the word “should” provides people the option to do what they want.

Having an earthly burial has never been a requirement for a heavenly resurrection. Therefore, the type of clothing placed on a corpse will have zero impact on our prospects for heavenly glory. Still, when active, temple-endowed Latter-day Saints die, most are attired in temple clothing in their coffins. Here are 11 thoughts about why it is perfectly fine—even preferable—NOT to dress corpses in temple clothing.

1. In the unlikely event that temple clothes are actually required on the other side, every worthy person will receive them. Being buried in regular clothing won’t hurt the worthy, and being buried in temple clothing won’t help the unworthy. It simply doesn’t matter to a just God whether someone’s body was buried in a clown suit, burned to ashes, lost at sea, eaten by wolves or blown to smithereens.

2. Any temple clothing provided in the next life will be superior to what was produced on earth and will not wear out.

3. Any temple clothing made on the other side will be in the correct heavenly style. (Most temple-goers today wouldn’t be caught dead in the styles of the late 1800s.)

4. We anticipate that in the Resurrection our bodies will be in the prime of life. If this is indeed the case, temple clothing (or any other clothing) that fits the bodies of worn-out, creaky old dead people is unlikely to fit the body of a vibrant resurrected being. It will need to be replaced.

5. Jesus was not buried in temple clothing, nor were most of the great prophets.

6. When Peter and John arrived in the tomb, they discovered that Christ had left behind his burial clothing. Yet, when he later appeared to Magdalene and to other disciples, the risen Lord was clothed. By discarding burial clothing made in this world, Jesus was perhaps telling us that clothing made on earth stays on earth. He is also telling us that clothing (temple or otherwise) is available on the other side.

7. We believe that children who die before the age of 8 go directly to the celestial kingdom—and not a one of them ever wore temple clothing.

8. Temple clothing made in heaven will not have been exposed to a corpse for an extended period of time.

9. Instead of adorning the dead, maybe temple clothing would better be donated for use by the living. For Latter-day Saints who feel uneasy about using clothing left behind by a person who has died, be assured that such clothing is completely decoffinated.

10. To non-LDS people who attend LDS funerals, temple clothing looks more weird than sacred. Putting it on public display may not be such a good idea, which explains why it often is covered during viewings.

11. Familial conflicts over whether to dress the deceased in temple clothing would be eliminated if everyone recognized that it is best for dead bodies not be dressed in temple clothing and that clothing made on earth is not and never will be a requirement for heavenly glory.

I couldn’t care less if others want to be buried in hula skirts and Speedos

I’m just glad we don’t wear hula skirts and speedos to the temple.