A Short History of Cremation

Cremation has been around for a very long time, in fact, since prehistoric times. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that it was practiced in China as early as 8000 B.C. Other interesting facts include:

 

Ancient Greece

Cremation service was commonly adopted in some parts of Greece but never became widespread, disappearing by 480 B.C.

 

Early Sweden

In Sweden, the majority of funerals were cremations throughout the Iron Age and Viking Age, but stopped once Christianity was introduced (A.D. 1050).

 

Ancient Rome

In the western Roman empire, a cremation service was the standard until the first century A.D., often associated with military honors.

 

The Middle Ages

With the spread of Christianity, cremation service was frowned upon and disappeared for the most part in Europe by the fifth century A.D., except in unusual cases such as epidemics or war, where the death toll required expedient disposal of human remains.

 

Opposition

During the French Revolution, certain groups promoted cremation as a way of reducing the church's role in the funeral process. Partly because of this association, the Roman Catholic Church opposed the use of cremation until the 20th century.

 

Asia

In Asia, cremation service became popular in areas of Buddhist influence under certain dynasties in China and Korea until about A.D. 1300.

 

Modern Cremation

Modern service began in the late 1800s with the invention of a practical chamber by Professor Brunetti, who presented it at the 1873 Vienna Exposition.

 

Championed by Queen Victoria's surgeon, Sir Henry Thompson, and driven by public concern for hygiene and health and clerical desires to reform burial practices, crematories slowly began opening in Europe and abroad.

 

The first modern crematory in America was established in Pennsylvania in 1876.

 

Present Day

Today, cremation is practiced in at least 31 countries around the world, with rates ranging from less than 2 percent in Ghana to more than three-quarters of the deaths in Switzerland. Cremation rates in Canada approach 80% in some areas.

 

We know these arcane facts are interesting, but they really won’t help you to know if a cremation service is right for you and your family. Only a conversation with a Schepp Family Funeral Homes professional will help you to know that fact. So, call us at (315) 637-3214. We’re here to give you all the information required to successfully make your decision.