Brief History of the Practice of Cremation

Archeological findings indicate that cremation was already practiced by 3000 BC in northern Europe and Asia. By the arrival of the Bronze Age (2500-1000 BC) the practice of cremation extended to the British Isles and what is known today as Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

Later, during the time of Homer in Greece (800 BC), cremation became the most used method of final arrangements. The Romans began practicing cremation at around the year 600 BC and during the Roman Empire (27 BC-395), this practice was extended greatly and the ashes were stored in costly and elaborate urns.

The process of cremation as we know it today was developed after the Vienna Exhibition in 1873. By 1874, the Cremation Society of Great Britain is founded and the first crematoria are established. In America, the first crematorium is established in the city of Washington. By 1900, there were 20 crematoria in America, and by 1975, there were more than 425 operating across the nation.

“Love is not cremated or buried...it will last forever within us.”