The Origin of the Phrase “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust”

You might be wondering, “Where in the Bible does it say ashes to ashes, dust to dust?” The phrase is widely known from funeral rites, but it's often misunderstood as a direct Bible quote. In reality, it comes from the Book of Common Prayer, a liturgical text used by the Anglican Church. 

The full wording typically said at graveside services is: 

“We therefore commit this body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.”

While not a verbatim Bible verse, the phrase draws heavily from Scripture. The imagery of returning to dust comes from Genesis 3:19: “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

This verse follows Adam and Eve’s fall and serves as a powerful reminder of human mortality, an important theme throughout the Bible. It echoes again in Ecclesiastes 3:20: “All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” 

Other Old Testament figures also acknowledge this reality. Abraham says in Genesis 18:27, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes” and Job cries in Job 30:19, “God has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.” 

So while the phrase “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” isn't in the Bible word-for-word, it is clearly rooted in biblical truths. It reflects the idea that our physical bodies are temporary. We were made from the earth, and one day we’ll return to it.

Yet, for believers, the story doesn’t end there. These funeral words also point to hope and the resurrection promise. That’s why they’re often followed by words of life and peace in Christ. Though we return to dust, our souls live on.

This phrase speaks deeply to themes like “you are dust and to dust you shall return,” reminding us of humility, repentance, and the eternal nature of the soul.

The Symbolism Behind Ashes and Dust

To better understand where this saying came from and how it is connected to Biblical teachings, let’s look at the two symbols it features: ashes and dust.

The Symbolism of Dust in Scripture

Throughout the Bible, dust symbolizes humanity’s origin, mortality, and humility before God. As I've mentioned before, in Genesis 3:19, after Adam’s fall, God declares, "for you are dust, and to dust you shall return". 

This powerful statement underscores the human condition: we are formed from the earth and will return to it. This Bible verse is one of the most referenced when discussing human mortality.

Dust reminds us of our frailty. In Genesis 2:7, God forms man from the dust of the ground, breathing life into him. Later, in Ecclesiastes 3:20, it is written, "All go to the same place; all are from the dust, and to dust all return." These verses connect the beginning and end of human life to dust, creating a sobering yet grounding picture of who we are apart from God.

Job offers more imagery in Job 30:19: "God has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes." Here, dust becomes a symbol of sorrow and despair. Still, acknowledging our dusty origins also leads us toward humility and repentance. Covering oneself in dust was a public act of admitting helplessness and sin, of turning back to God.

Jesus echoes this in the New Testament when telling His disciples to shake the dust off their feet if a town rejects the gospel (Luke 9:5). This gesture wasn’t just symbolic of leaving, it represented judgment and separation. 

The Symbolism of Ashes in Scripture

Ashes in the Bible carry deep meanings, often representing destruction, sorrow, and repentance, but also pointing to transformation. In Job 42:6, Job repents by saying, "Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Similarly, Daniel prays for his people’s sins with fasting and ashes in Daniel 9:3.

Ashes aren’t just about mourning. They show a recognition of God’s holiness and our need for forgiveness. Covering oneself in ashes or sitting in them was a powerful expression of turning back to God. As one of the clearest ashes to ashes dust to dust meanings, ashes point to what remains after destruction, but also to what can be purified.

In Isaiah 61:3, God promises to give His people "a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning." This image is rich in hope. What was once ruined becomes something beautiful. For believers, ashes aren’t the end. They’re a sign of change, of leaving behind the old and receiving new life through Christ.

Even Jesus referenced ashes when speaking of repentance. In Luke 10:13, He said that if miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago "in sackcloth and ashes." The ashes weren’t just symbols, they were evidence of real sorrow over sin.

Ashes may represent loss, but they also represent cleansing and renewal. In 2 Peter 3:7, we read of a final judgment by fire, after which only what is eternal remains.

Ashes remind us that everything earthly can be reduced, but through Jesus, nothing truly good is lost. As Hebrews 12:28–29 reminds us, "Our God is a consuming fire." Yet, through that fire, there is a promise of rebirth. Ashes aren’t just a symbol of death, they’re a foreshadowing of new life.

What Happens to Your Soul When You Are Cremated?

One question that comes up often is: What happens to your soul when you are cremated? Some believers wonder if cremation could affect their eternal destiny or resurrection. These concerns are understandable, but not supported by Scripture.

The Bible does not forbid cremation, nor does it explicitly endorse it. While burial was the most common practice among the people of God, there’s no verse that says cremation keeps you from heaven. 

In fact, Romans 10:9–10 clearly tells us what determines our salvation: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Our eternal destination is determined by faith in Christ, not by what happens to our earthly bodies.

This truth brings great comfort, especially when we consider those who have died in fires, natural disasters, or persecution. Many Christian martyrs were burned at the stake for their faith. 

If God’s power can’t be limited by man, then surely ashes to ashes does not mean the end of the soul. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:38–39 that nothing—not death, not life, not any created thing—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Some people still ask, "What happens to the body after cremation?" The physical body becomes ashes, yes, but this is no obstacle to God. Whether a person is buried or cremated, they return to dust, and their soul continues. At the resurrection, God will give believers new, glorified bodies, bodies that are imperishable and eternal (1 Corinthians 15:42–44).

So, what happens to your soul when you get cremated? Nothing changes. The soul leaves the body at death and goes to be with the Lord, if you are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8). Cremation is a physical process, not a spiritual barrier. God remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14), and He will raise us to life, whether buried in the ground or scattered to the wind.

Ultimately, the real question isn’t whether cremation is acceptable, and the answer is that it is. The real question is: Are you in Christ? Because when that is settled, you can face death, dust, and ashes with peace.

What Does the Bible Say About Remembering The Dead?

While Scripture doesn’t give detailed instructions about remembering the dead, it offers wisdom that helps us honor their memory with love and hope. Here’s what we can take from the Bible:

• We’re encouraged to remember and honor those who lived faithfully. Hebrews 13:7 says, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."
• We should grieve, but with hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 reminds us not to grieve like those who have no hope, but to remember that God will bring with Him those who have died in Christ.
• God never forgets His people. Isaiah 49:15–16 says that God has engraved His people on the palms of His hands, showing they’re never forgotten, even in death.
• Memorials aren’t forbidden. While the Bible condemns ancestor worship and necromancy (Deuteronomy 18:10–12), it does not forbid respectful remembrance. Scripture often records how God’s people carefully buried their loved ones and honored their memory.

Discover More Symbols from Scripture with The Bible Chat App

The Bible is filled with symbols that, when explored and understood, give us valuable answers about the human condition and His will for us. Sometimes, getting to the deeper meaning takes quite a bit of research. With the Bible Chat app, this is a lot easier.

Thanks to the conversational nature of the AI priest technology, you can uncover truths and teachings from Scripture in a simple way. Just as your questions and get answers rooted in Biblical knowledge. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play and make your Bible study more convenient.

Conclusion

While “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” is not a direct quote from the Bible, its symbolism is deeply rooted in Scripture. It reminds us where we come from and where we’re going, and while it usually references the end of life, it also speaks of the new beginning we encounter after death. As long as we are in Christ, death is not the end. 

References

• Is “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” in the Bible?, https://www.gotquestions.org/ashes-to-ashes-dust-to-dust.html, accessed on 29.05.2024;
• Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, https://witness.lcms.org/2019/ashes-to-ashes-dust-to-dust/, accessed on 29.05.2025;
• Christian Cremation: What Does the Bible Say?, https://www.theologyfortherestofus.com/christian-cremation-what-does-the-bible-say, accessed on 29.05.2025.

Source of the images: Freepick.com