WESTERN HISTORY OF CREMATION
By the late Stone Age, cremation practices had spread across northern Europe, with decorative pottery urns discovered among the Slavic peoples in western Russia. As the Bronze Age progressed (2500 to 1000 B.C.), cremation extended to the British Isles, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, northern Italy, and eventually Ireland. During the Mycenaean Age (circa 1000 B.C.), cremation became a significant aspect of Grecian burial customs, evolving into the predominant mode of disposition by 800 B.C. This influence extended to the early Romans around 600 B.C., who adopted the practice widely, leading to official decrees against city cremations by the mid-5th Century. Throughout the Roman Empire period (27 B.C. to 395 A.D.), cremation was commonly practiced, with remains stored in elaborate urns and columbarium-like structures.
Despite its prevalence among Romans, early Christians and Jewish cultures continued to prefer traditional burial, a practice that persisted for centuries. Modern cremation began to take shape about a century ago with the development of reliable cremation chambers. The cremation movement gained momentum in Europe (1873) and North America (1876), spurred from exhibitions by Ludovico Brunetti of Italy and the establishment of cremation societies by Sir Henry Thompson of England. Crematories were set up in England and Germany in the late 19th century, and subsequently in various North American cities. By 1913, the founding of the Cremation Association of America marked a significant step in the formalization of cremation practices. Over time, cremation's popularity has continued to grow, with a notable rise in cremation rates in the United States in 2019.
Crematorium in Troy 12180 , New York USA
some key facts
Cremation is the practice of burning the deceased to the point of ashes.
A practice with deep roots and long history,
Dates to the Pleistocene Era, at least 20,000 years ago based on evidence from Lake Mungo, Australia.
Pottery urns discovered in Norther Europe dating back to the Stone Age in 3,000 B.C.
In Greece, cremations were used for soldiers, which is described in Homer’s “The Iliad and the Odyssey”
Roman Emperors were cremated to emphasize their ascent into godhood.
Asia has the deepest roots
Hinduism practices cremation as the “Last Rite” believes in reincarnation.
Buddhist groups practice cremation, it is popular but not required Buddha was said to have been cremated after his death in 4 th Century B.C.E.
Viking funeral consists of cremation that took place on a pyre, a popular practice Ynglinga Saga, Odin states “Thus he established by law that all dead men should be burned, and their belongings laid with them upon the pile”
Japanese cremation practice viewed as hygienic and the process of removing any physical or spiritual contamination.
Became into acceptance in Christianity by the 20 th Century Catholic Church amended the Code of Canon Law in 1963, lifting the ban.
Americas first crematory was established in 1876.
some visuals
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