Modern cremation has roots in American history tracing back to the 19th century. Initially met with hostility and skepticism, the practice gained traction as people sought alternatives to traditional burial methods. Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne played a pivotal role in bringing modern cremation practices to the United States by opening the first crematorium.
The first person to be cremated in a crematorium in the US was Baron Joseph Henry Louis Charles De Palm. He was cremated on December 6, 1876 at the LeMoyne Crematory.
Throughout the 20th century, the number of crematories in the United States grew rapidly. From just 20 crematories in 1900, the figure reached over 50 by 1913, accompanied by a significant increase in the number of cremations performed. This growth can be attributed to shifting societal perspectives on death and a greater understanding of the practical and environmental benefits of cremation.
Today, cremation has become the leading choice for final disposition in America, highlighting how far the practice has come from its controversial beginnings. As society continues to evolve, the history of cremation in America stands as a testament to the power of innovation and changing cultural beliefs.
Table of Contents
The Invention of Modern Cremation
Ancient Cremation
Cremation has been practiced by different cultures for thousands of years. The oldest evidence of human cremation has been dated to 40,000 years. It comes from Australia, where the burnt bones of an Aboriginal woman, referred to as Mungo Lady, were found near the dried Lake Mungo in west-central New South Wales. Cremation was also prevalent in other cultures, with evidence back to around 3000 B.C. These forms of cremation involved placing the deceased bodies of mounds of logs and branches known as pyres.
Modern Cremation
Modern cremation as we know it involves the combustion of the body in a mostly closed cremation chamber, known as a retort. The device was invented by Professor Ludovico Brunetti from Italy, and was first displayed at the 1873 Vienna Exposition. This prototype furnace was made from refracting brick, with a metal plate suspended from iron wire for the body. Heat was applied from below from burning wood, and was regulated by side doors over a cast iron dome. Gas escaped through movable shutters. A body could be burned in four hours.
In 1874 the first modern cremation took place in Dresden, Germany in a furnace constructed by Frederick Siemens. This furnace used coal gas and air as fuel and took just an hour.
Queen Victoria’s surgeon, Sir Henry Thompson was a prominent promoter of cremation and on January 13th, 1874 founded the Cremation Society of England and on April 29, 1874 he became its president and chairman. Cremation was still outlawed for a number of years, but in October 1882 Captain Hanham of Dorsetshire defied the government and cremated two relatives (in accordance with their wishes) in a crematorium he had built. These were the first modern cremations in Britain.
Early History of Cremation in America
Early Cremation in America: Native Americans
Native Americans had a wide variety of practices following death. While not widespread, cremation was sometimes practiced. Cremation was more common when the death was far from home, for example on a hunting or war expedition. The body would be burned and the remains collected for easier transport back home. In the case of the Salinas tribe from California, the most distinguished dead were cremated, while non-nobles were buried.
Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne and the First Crematory
The modern cremation movement began with Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne, who opened the first crematorium in North Franklin Township, Washington Country, Pennsylvania town in 1876. LeMoyne slowed down his medical practice to pursue the development and promotion of cremation as an alternative to traditional burial methods. He believed that burials contaminated drinking water and that cremation would be a more sanitary way to dispose of dead bodies. He built the first crematorium in America, which had separate entrances for the reception room and the furnace room.
A total of 41 cremations took place at the LeMoyne Crematory before its closure in 1901. LeMoyne himself was the third to be cremated there, in 1879. The final cremation there was for the remains of Mary S. Booth on November 28, 1900.
The LeMoyne Crematory was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 16, 1996.
Cremation Movement in the Late 19th Century
During the late 19th century, cremation was considered a radical and tradition-bucking idea in America. LeMoyne and other cremation advocates believed that traditional burial allowed germs to seep into the ground and were concerned about the lack of available space for graveyards. Their beliefs led to the establishment of several other crematories across the United States. The second crematory in America was opened in 1884 in Lancaster Pennsylvania.
By 1900, there were 20 crematories in operation, with new ones emerging in locations such as:
- Buffalo, New York
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Detroit, Michigan
- Los Angeles, California
Cremation in the 20th Century
Crematories and cremation continued to grow at a modest pace in the 20th Century. By 1913 there were over 10,000 cremations taking place. In that year, Dr. Hugo Erichsen founded the Cremation Association of America (now known as the Cremation Association of North America) to further promote and support the practice. By 1975 there were 425 crematories and nearly 150,000 cremations. Between 1913 and 1975 the annual growth rate in cremations in America was under 5%.
Cremation continued to gain in popularity over the rest of the century. One of the primary drivers was changes to religious policies on cremation.
Change in Catholic Policy on Cremation
In 1963, the Catholic Church shifted its stance on cremation, lifting the ban that had been in place for centuries. This significant change came about for several reasons, including concerns over sanitation, overcrowded cemeteries, and the financial burden associated with traditional burials.
The Vatican issued a document known as “Piam et Constantem” in 1963, which addressed the issue of cremation and allowed for more flexibility in Catholic funeral practices. Prior to this, cremation was generally seen as a direct affront to the Church’s teachings on the sanctity and respect due to the human body.
While the Church still prefers traditional burial and maintains that it holds greater value, the acceptance of cremation as an option allowed many Catholics to make a personal choice without fear of contradicting their faith. This shift in policy has also contributed to the growing popularity of cremation in the United States over the years.
It should be noted that even with the change in policy, the Catholic Church maintains certain expectations regarding the treatment of cremated remains. The Order of Christian Funerals clearly states that cremated remains should be treated with the same honor and respect as the body, stressing the importance of properly interring the ashes in a consecrated place rather than scattering them or keeping them in a home.
In December 2023 the Catholic Church again updated its policy to permit comingling of ashes together (like how bones are stored in an ossuary) and to permit separation of a small portion of ashes for storage in a place of historical significance to the deceased.
Cremation and the Funeral Industry
Traditional Burial versus Cremation
Traditional burial involves placing the body in a casket and interring it in a grave at a cemetery. The funeral industry has long profited from this method, as it requires a wide range of products and services to prepare the deceased for burial, such as embalming, caskets, burial plots, and grave markers.
Cremation, on the other hand, simplifies this process by reducing the remains to ashes, called cremated remains, or cremains. The cremains are often housed in containers called urns, which can be used for permanent storage or until scattering of the ashes.
Funeral homes make far more money from burial than cremation and many have been resistant to the growing trend towards cremation.
Influence of Jessica Mitford’s Book
One of the factors contributing to the shift in cremation popularity in the United States is the publication of Jessica Mitford’s book, “The American Way of Death.” The book, first published in 1963, criticized the funeral industry, highlighting the exorbitant costs of traditional burials. As a result, many Americans began to consider more affordable alternatives, such as cremation.
Memorialization and Cremated Remains
The funeral industry has responded to the rise in cremation by offering a wide range of memorializations for ashes. Elaborate urns, cremation jewelry and even cremation diamonds have met demand and offered new sources of revenue. For a price, cremains can be fired from a rocket, scattered from a luxury cruise or placed on a tropical reef.
Cremation Rates in the United States Today
Cremation overtook burial as the most common disposition method in the US in 2015. Currently, the cremation rate in the US stands at 59.3%, while the burial rate is 35.7% according to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). In 2022 there were 1.91 million cremations in the US.
Several factors have continued to drive this upward trend in cremation rates. One primary reason is the rising cost of traditional burial services. Funeral expenses in the US often average over $8,000, prompting many families to opt for the more affordable cremation option.
Another factor driving preferences towards cremation is perceived environmental benefits. Traditional burials can have negative environmental impacts, such as the use of embalming chemicals and the consumption of land. Cremation requires fewer resources and has a smaller environmental footprint.
States with the highest cremation rates in 2022
- Washington: 76.4%
- Nevada: 75.6%
- Oregon: 74.3%
States with the lowest cremation rates in 2022
- Mississippi: 32.8%
- Alabama: 38.1%
- Kentucky: 41.2%
These figures help illustrate the continued growth and adoption of cremation as a preferred method for handling the deceased.
Looking forward, projections indicate that the cremation rate in the country will reach 69.8% by 2030.
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