[Steve Warren]

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.

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