According to ancient beliefs, cremation was considered what by Christians?

Cremation was often viewed by early Christians as a pagan ritual. This perspective stemmed from the historical context in which Christianity emerged. During the early periods of the Christian faith, many non-Christian cultures practiced cremation as part of their burial customs, which were seen as incompatible with Christian beliefs regarding the resurrection of the body. Early Christians largely favored burial because it aligned more closely with their theology that emphasized the importance of the physical body and the belief in an eventual resurrection.

This perception contributed to the belief that cremation was associated with paganism, as many pagan religions used cremation as part of their funerary practices. Consequently, this association led to a long-standing reluctance among many Christians to embrace cremation, viewing it as something that contradicted their faith and values regarding life after death.