San Diego Burial at Sea Charter - History

Sea Burial - Ash Scattering Services - Scattering Methods
Urns & Keepsakes - Shipping Ashes - History and Acceptance

It is generally accepted by scholars that cremation has been around for a long long time, probably originating sometime around 3000 B.C. It has gained more prominence at various periods of history and waned during others. During the period of the Roman Empire it was widely practiced.

However, as a result of Constantine's Christianization of the Empire the more traditional earth burial almost totally replaced its use for the next 1500 years.

It was not until 1876 when Dr. Julius LeMoyne built the first crematory in Washington, Pennsylvania that its use really began again (at least in North America). By 1999, it popularity had risen to where 25% of all deaths in the United States resulted in a cremation being performed.

Today this number is much higher as the cost of land burial and as well as the cost of a traditional funeral make cremation a very attractive alternative.

Are there any religious groups which do not cremation?

Yes. Some religious faiths do not cremate such as Orthodox Jews, most Orthodox faiths, Moslems and some other religions. However, most Christian denominations including the Roman Catholic Church allow cremation. It is the normal method of Sikhs, Hindus, Parsees and Buddhists.