It’s an ever-present reminder that life is only borrowed time. Though it still contains its origin within the Christian narrative of original sin, it’s also much more than that. Where You’ll Find ‘Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust’Īs mentioned above, ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ is more secular today than ever before. You’ll hear these words in songs about death, poetry, and even modern film and TV. Though it’s still commonly used within the church, it’s also a popular symbol in literature and storytelling throughout the world. Over time, this phrase lost much of its Christian meaning. It’s a form of comfort that we all meet the same afterlife with God, regardless of social status or burial service. Though you’re to return to dust, you’re also to be resurrected by Christ himself when the time comes. This began as a Christian phrase used to remember that God always has a plan. Later, the word ‘dust’ turned into ‘ashes’ in popular funeral prayers and literature. “In the sweat of thy face shall thou eat bread, Located within King James Bible in the scene when Adam and Eve are finally cast from the Garden of Eden. The infamous ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust” originates from Genasis. » MORE: The best way to spend the next 10 minutes: make a will. Perhaps, centuries from now, your same elements will find themselves a new home within other organisms, mountains, or even a star in a galaxy far, far away. No matter whether you choose a natural burial, embalming, cremation, or so on, your body returns to ‘ash’ and ‘dust’ all the same to enter the cycle of nature yet again. With that in mind, eventually, when we die, our bodies return to these basic elements within the earth. Though you might feel young, your body’s elements are as ancient as time itself. Our bodily elements (hydrogen, carbon, calcium, etc.) date back to the beginning of the universe over 13 billion years ago. It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but it’s the true reality we live in. We’re made of the same stuff as stars, nearly every element in the human body being made in stars and supernovas. While it sounds remarkable, humans are-at their essence-dust. In simple terms, this phrase reminds us that we all began as dust, and we will return to dust again when our time finally comes. The words ‘ash’ and ‘dust’ have negative connotations, but don’t get the diction twisted. On the surface, ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ paints a bleak picture. What ‘Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust’ Means You can even turn your loved one's ashes into a real diamond with Eterneva or into cremation stones with Parting Stone. Tip: If you're looking for something very unique to hold a loved one's ashes you can custom order an urn from a store like Foreverence. Let’s take a step back through time, literature, and popular culture to discover the real meaning behind ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ and how it applies today. It’s a phrase with a biblical origin dating back to the creation of man, and it honors the cycle of life as the meaning behind everything we hold close. Returning to ‘ashes’ and ‘dust’ isn’t something to fear. In reality, the phrase ‘ashes to ashes’ carries a lot of beautiful symbolism. This might sound scary and intimidating at times, especially when coupled with the question of why we die. Whether your body is cremated or buried within this earth, you will return to ashes and dust. In reality, this phrase highlights what happens to all bodies during burial ceremonies. Where You’ll Find ‘Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust’.Origin of ‘Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust’.What ‘Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust’ Means.We’ve all heard the phrase ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust,’ but what does this actually mean? As one of the many euphemisms for death, it’s not always clear how this phrase applies to humanity and our ever-present mortality. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible.