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Lay Me in God's Good Earth: A Christian Approach to Death and Burial Paperback – August 20, 2024

3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

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ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award

A Christian case for natural burial

The promises of the Christian gospel are never more precious or more beautiful than in the context of death and burial. And yet current burial practices in Western society are archaic and impersonal. They fail to confront us with the reality of death, and they make it harder to process death or to grieve properly.

Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke have been teaching a Christian understanding of death and natural burial for many years. They argue that natural burial―laying the body into the earth in a way that allows it to decompose naturally―is not only better for the environment but is also a more accurate picture of Christian hope of the resurrection. Grounded in sound Christian teaching about death and burial, they advocate for natural burial and offer practical instructions for navigating the complex questions around burial practices.

Lay Me in God’s Good Earth is not only an immensely practical guide to natural burial; it is also an application of the hope of the resurrection to those grieving the loss of their loved ones.

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From the Publisher

A Practical Guide to the End of Life and Natural Burial
Lay Me in God's Good Earth book cover

About 'Lay Me in God's Good Earth'

"Our book is about dying and the journey we take from life into death, but it’s also a journey of love, hope, promise, and compassion. It’s a journey through good times and bad, through trials and tribulations. For those who walk alongside the dying, this journey could take weeks, months, or even years. When we journey with our dead, both before, during, and after, we begin to acknowledge that death will happen. Only in this way can we finally know how to participate in the burying of our dead from a more holistic point of view. But in the end, it’s a journey that speaks God’s truth of Jesus and his resurrection into new life in his new creation." - from the introduction of Lay Me in God's Good Earth by Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke

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Praise for 'Lay Me in God's Good Earth' by Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke

Praise from Marcus "Flame" Gray about the book 'Lay Me in God's Good Earth'

Praise from Thomas G. Long about the book 'Lay Me in God's Good Earth'

Praise from Maxwell E. Johnson about the book 'Lay Me in God's Good Earth'

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this well-researched and compellingly written book, Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke thoughtfully address important, and sometimes difficult, end-of-life questions. They guide the reader well through the many options for caring faithfully for the bodies of the dead, and they make a compelling case for natural burial. A very provocative book!" -- Thomas G. Long, author of Accompany Them with Singing: The Christian Funeral

"Lay Me in God's Good Earth is a much-needed guide to equip the church to teach the theology and art of dying. Sound, pastoral, sensitive, and practical, this book empowers honest conversation about our common journey of death and God's intention to raise us and all creation. Burreson and Hoeltke advocate thoroughly and convincingly for natural burial as a witness to and participation in God's purpose of restoring us and all creation. Rich in biblical words and images, this decidedly Christian book inspires meaningful conversation in home and church. Its practical wisdom also supports and guides any who must respond to the death of a loved one or prepare a loved one for their own death." -- Craig Alan Satterlee, teacher of preaching and worship and bishop of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod ELCA

"This is a delightful, insightful, and timely book that can and should be used in a variety of settings (parish and other classes in planning Christian burial, counseling with the bereaved, and by pastors). Firmly rooted in the creedal affirmation of 'the resurrection of the body and life everlasting,' this readable study examines traditional (including cremation) and newer more ecologically sensitive manners of burial in affirming and nonjudgmental ways. I highly recommend this book." -- Maxwell E. Johnson, emeritus professor of liturgy, University of Notre Dame

"Dr. Burreson and Dr. Hoeltke bring together sound theological reflections, ancient Christian practices, and environmental concerns to make the case that natural burial best honors the body as God's creation in the hope of its resurrection. As such, this book fills in an important gap within theological and environmental studies and deserves a wide readership!" -- Charles P. Arand, Eugene E. and Nell S. Fincke Graduate Professor of Theology at Concordia Seminary

"After losing both my dear parents in the span of ten months, I was forced to consider matters of death and burial. Particularly comforting to me is the careful attention and concern with which Christians value the physical body, even after death. Dr. Burreson and Dr. Hoeltke take you into that care that reflects the beauty and dignity of the human person, and into truths that are undergirded by the hope of resurrection as modeled by our Lord, Jesus, himself: 'the firstborn among many brothers' (Romans 8:29). The genius of this book is that it does not romanticize death in order to deal with it, nor does it dismiss grief. Instead, it offers a sobering hope that produces stability: stability in how we think about death, prepare for it, and remember our future eternal rest in how we put our loved ones to rest." -- Marcus "Flame" Gray, Christian rapper

"People are usually surprised to hear that the majority of the services at our conservation burial grounds are for committed Christians. Lay Me in God's Good Earth makes a compelling biblical case for natural burial." -- Billy Campbell, founder of conservation burial

"Burreson and Hoeltke have given us a theology of the body in death and dying. The body as God's good creation awaiting its resurrection should be handled with dignity and honor in burial and preparation for death. This book argues for a natural burial in God's good earth in an ecologically responsible way and guidance in countering the American way of death. Six appendixes offer a complete checklist for burial planning; cost comparisons of natural burial, conventional burial, and cremation; resources for handling the body at home; resources for burying naturally; and a bibliography for further reading. Since we will all die, this book is a resource every Christian family and church should have." -- Frank C. Senn, affiliate professor of liturgy at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and author of Eucharistic Body

"Lay Me in God's Good Earth is an important book. We have too long assumed that the way the funeral industry treats the bodies of our loved ones is our only option. Burreson and Hoeltke have opened my eyes to the fact that there are ways to care for our dead in a manner more in keeping with Christian teaching. This book not only reestablishes how the Christian story ought to affect our burial practices, but it is also a practical guide for how a congregation like ours can put these principles into action." -- Joshua Palmer, pastor of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church in Tucson, Arizona

"Green burial has an incredible positive impact on both the environment and the individual, and Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke explore each through their unique, faith-based lens. Lay Me in God's Good Earth paints an impressively engaging portrait of American death care, past and present, and provides not just the authors' reasoning for going green but a comprehensive roadmap for how to do it." -- Grace Griffin, vice president of customer relations and green burial specialist at Bellefontaine Cemetery Association

About the Author

Kent J. Burreson (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Together with Beth Hoeltke, he is the author of Death, Heaven, Resurrection, and the New Creation.



Beth Hoeltke (PhD, Concordia Seminary) is the retired director of the graduate school at Concordia Seminary and an adjunct instructor at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri. Together with Kent Burreson, she is the author of Death, Heaven, Resurrection, and the New Creation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP (August 20, 2024)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1514007606
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1514007600
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

About the author

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Dr. Kent J. Burreson is the Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

A Seminary faculty member since 2000, he is a professor of Systematic Theology. He served as dean of chapel from 2009-21. He teaches courses on the confessions, systematics, religious bodies, Byzantine theology and many different courses in worship.

His areas of interest and expertise include liturgical studies, sacramental theology and Reformation worship.

Before coming to the Seminary, he served as assistant pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Mishawaka, Ind. (1999-2000). He holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) from Concordia Seminary (1992, 1994); a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. (1997, 2002); and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind. (1988).

He engages in research on the history of Reformation and post-Reformation worship, worship and culture, worship as ritual performance and the theology of worship. He is currently engaged in two projects researching, writing and providing resources on natural (green) burial and contemporary catechumenal forms and models for the Lutheran church. He presents his research results at conferences and workshops and in essays. He was a member of the liturgy subcommittee of the Lutheran Hymnal Project that prepared “Lutheran Service Book.”

He and his wife, Cindy, have two daughters, Maggie and Lily Kate. He is a homebrewer who enjoys following professional and college sports. He is an avid reader of many different genres, enjoys listening to music, including classical, jazz and country, and occasionally plays golf and tennis.

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2024
    This book compiles sociological, psychological, and theological research on how we can approach death in a way that shows love for the person, the environment, the body, and the future resurrection of all flesh. Burreson and Hoeltke also provide very practical advice for how one can navigate the complex web that is the funeral industry in a way that returns some level of control and involvement to the family and the church. They also give specifics on how one can provide care for the body of the deceased with love and encourage us to rethink embalming, cremation, and other practices of the modern funeral industry that would have been inconceivable to many in prior generations, especially within the church. The appendices in the back of the book with forms and charts were also helpful in how one can make this practical and prepare for it ahead of time. Two of the most impactful parts for me were about how the personal and familial care of the dead body is a loving act, and how Jesus provides and pattern for our bodies and we can participate in that pattern: birth, life, suffering, death, burial, resurrection. Well worth the read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2024
    Kent Burreson and Beth Hoeltke have produced a book about a subject we all face but are hesitant to consider: death and the aftermath. The authors argue biblically for a natural burial. Because death is part of the human experience, we should be prepared. But because of modern discomfort and even denial of the reality of death, few take steps to plan for what happens to their body after death. Our wishes and desires remain unexpressed. As a result, the people around us are left to make difficult decisions while coping with grief.

    Christian people do have a long tradition of thinking carefully about death and dying. Christians continue to hold biblical and theological convictions that should inform how we think about the body, how to care for it after death, and how to bury the body, all in light of the hope of resurrection life. Burreson and Hoeltke explore the recent history of burial practices, name ways in which these practices have distanced us from the reality of death and resulted in abuses of the body, and outline ways Christian people can think counter-culturally in a manner that gives witness to the gospel. This book contains practical resources for thinking about how the body is cared for after death, ways family members and loved ones can be involved, how to express your desires to those who are responsible for your funeral, how to navigate legal matters with respect to death and burial, questions to consider with respect to a service of remembrance or funeral, and even information about costs associated with death and burial.

    I haven't encountered many books like this one. Lay Me in God's Good Earth is biblical, theological, practical, and prophetic, offering a challenge and alternative for Christian witness.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
    Unless Jesus tarries, we will all die someday and "Lay Me In God's Good Earth" is a great title for preparing the reader for the inevitable. Around 200 pages, the book addresses several topics, including:

    - Preparing for that inevitable day.

    - Various ways the body is prepared for burial.

    - Costs and factors to consider for burial (cremation, regular burial, more natural burial, medical donation, etc.).

    - Various ways burial prepares us for our own resurrection.

    These are just a few of the many topics covered. Several things to like about this title: excellent footnotes, includes a helpful burial guide, helpful bibliography for further reading, a pretty easy to read and understand title on an important topic, and each chapter is around 15-20 pages.

    Great read and recommended.
    2 people found this helpful
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