Rethinking Cremation and Kikuyu Burial Rites in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) formally recognizes cremation within its authorized liturgy, yet its implementation raises pastoral questions where Kikuyu understandings of burial remain associated with family land, lineage, bodily dignity, and communal remembrance. This article examines how the PCEA may interpret and implement its cremation liturgy in a manner that remains faithful to Reformed theology while responding sensitively to these cultural meanings. It adopts a conceptual and constructive practical-theological approach based on critical analysis of biblical texts, PCEA ecclesial materials, Reformed liturgical scholarship, and the literature concerning Kikuyu and wider African understandings of death and burial. African Practical Theology serves as the article’s sole theoretical framework, while inculturation and African theological scholarship provide supporting interpretive resources. The biblical analysis shows that burial is the predominant scriptural practice but that texts concerning sacrifice, warfare, punishment, and judgement cannot be applied directly to contemporary cremation. It argues that Scripture neither makes bodily preservation a condition for resurrection nor prohibits cremation. The article therefore locates the principal pastoral challenge not in the PCEA’s formal acceptance of cremation but in the culturally attentive implementation of its authorized liturgy. It proposes a contextual pastoral approach incorporating theological preparation of families, dignified commendation and committal, careful treatment or interment of ashes, communal remembrance, and theological education for ministers, elders, and congregants. The proposal seeks to avoid both cultural erasure and uncritical syncretism while maintaining Christian resurrection hope. As a non-empirical study, the article presents these recommendations as provisional and identifies congregational reception, ministerial practice, and family experiences as priorities for future empirical research.