It is worth noting that in the Creed, the profession of the Christian faith, we recall that Jesus “died and was buried” (cf. 1 Cor 15:3-4), and that this second part indicates not only a timely event, a result of death, but also a precise action that was carried out by some of Jesus’ disciples (cf. Mk 15:46-47; Jn 19:40-42): he not only reached the ground, in the cave of a grotto, but “he was buried”.
The Gospels attest that even John the Baptist, after being decapitated, was placed in a tomb by his disciples (cf. Mk 6:29; Mt, 14:12).
In truth the whole Bible devotes a great deal of attention to the burial and the grave, beginning with the burial of Sarah in the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron, within the property sold by the Hittites to Abraham, who had not yet met the realization of the promise of the earth made to him by God (cf. Gen 23). From that moment, burial became decisive for those who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, a sign of the righteousness of those who die and end up entombed. Whereas those who are not buried appear as being chastised by God, as one who is wicked and does not deserve a burial (cf. Deut 28:26; Is 34:3; Jer 16:4-6, 25:33; Ps 79:2-3). It is unfortunate that, or reasons to do with space (a lack thereof, one might say) and economics (costs), Christians have so easily accepted the cremation of the body and often engage in dispersing the ashes of the deceased in rivers, seas and forests.
Source: Osservatore Romano, Enzo Bianchi