Home News & Events Christian Apologist Ravi Zacharias Buried In Casket Made By Inmates

News & Events

Christian Apologist Ravi Zacharias Buried In Casket Made By Inmates

June 14, 2020

– Christian Advocate Ravi Zacharias Buried In Casket Made By Inmates

Indian-born Canadian-American Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias has been laid to rest in a casket made by inmates at a private ceremony in Georgia.

The gospel apologist, 74, passed away on May 19th from a rare and aggressive form of cancer in his spine. Following the news of his death, Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola Prison inmates built the coffin for Ravi after his request to be buried in it years ago.

Zacharias who just like Billy Graham had his casket made by inmates from Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola Prison visited the prison several times and recalled how he was amazed by the amount of faith he saw in those inmates and even wrote about one of his visits in June 2019, saying, “Even in a dark place, the gospel is shining with grace and power. That is the only hope for the world because we are all prisoners of sin, and only the cross has the answer and the freedom.”

Zacharias requested in his latest book, Seeing Jesus From the East, that inmates from Angola build his casket. “These prisoners know that this world is not their home, and that no coffin could ever be their final destination,” he wrote. “Jesus assured us of that. Such is the gospel story.”

Sam Allberry, pastor and speaker for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM), officiated the services and reminded those gathered that Zacharias’ story doesn’t end with his death. Rather, Zacharias received the promise of Jesus in John 14:19, which says, “Because I live, you will live also.”

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margie, their three children and five.

Photos From Burial Service