In the early Christian burial customs death was seen as sleep where the dead would rest until the day of resurrection the early Christians were very particular about how and where they were buried making sure burials were simple and in accordance to the impending resurrection.
Christians believed that the body must be buried in the ground for this to take place. Burials transpired in cemeteries as a means for the dead to sleep or rest until the arrival of Christ's return.
Some Christians were cremated due to the exception that the Roman's and the Greeks were performing the process in the same era, although it was not common practice. Several religious groups supporting Christianity outlawed the use of cremation believing it was a disrespect or violation to the body.
Church law otherwise known as Canon Law recommended that the burial ground be declared or made sacred or holy being it wasn't mandatory that the body be buried in a coffin.
Family took part in the burial of the dead. Making sure when death occured, the eyes were closed, the bodies were washed and the limbs were wrapped in bandages, in other words swathed. The bodies were also wrapped in a linen sheet with aloe and myrrh. Elder women along with family and friends of family took part in the preparation. After preparations of the deceased, the relatives and close friends were permitted to view the face of the deceased afterwards, allowing the body to lie for a period of eight hours before burial.
In the christian custom, the touching of the dead body was acceptable and many christians were accustomed to giving one last kiss to the departed immediately after death or prior to the closing of the casket.
After all, I find it pretty interesting that some christian groups opposed the practice of cremation. I understand that it was believed to be a desecration to the body. I also believe that over time the process of decomposition will in fact have the same effect, but at a slower pace.