Historically, burial was the most common practice among the Israelites. In the Bible, figures such as Abraham are described as purchasing burial places for loved ones, while Joseph expressed a clear wish for his remains to be returned to his homeland. These accounts reflect a cultural and religious preference for burial, often tied to respect, remembrance, and identity.

However, it is important to recognize that these examples describe tradition rather than explicit command. Scripture records what was practiced, but it does not establish burial as the only acceptable method. In fact, there are passages where bodies were burned in specific contexts, though these instances were often associated with judgment or unusual circumstances rather than standard practice.