A Brief History of Flame-Based Cremation in America
Countless people with whom I interact seem to think flame-based cremation is “just what we’ve always done,” but I was surprised to learn that is not really the case.
Flame-based cremation, also known as “traditional” cremation, has a relatively recent history in America, with its roots in the late 19th century. Despite (seemingly) popular beliefs about the longevity of the practice, cremation was not introduced in the United States until 1876 when Dr. Julius LeMoyne, a physician and social reformer, built the first crematory in Washington, Pennsylvania. Dr. LeMoyne was influenced by growing concerns about public health and the spread of disease through traditional burial practices. America faced significant public health concerns including rapid urbanization, overcrowded cemeteries, and inadequate sanitation (Vlach, 2002); these factors led to fears that decomposing bodies could contaminate water supplies and contribute to the spread of infectious diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever. The increasing awareness of germ theory harmonized with people’s health concerns, which inspired reformers to seek alternative methods for handling the deceased. Cremation emerged as a sanitary solution, reducing the risk of disease transmission and alleviating the pressure on burial spaces (Prothero, 2001).
Despite its initial introduction, cremation faced resistance in America due to religious and cultural opposition. Many Christian denominations viewed cremation as incompatible with traditional beliefs about resurrection and the sanctity of the body. However, attitudes began to shift in the early 20th century as the population grew and urbanization increased. Limited cemetery space and the rising costs of traditional burials made cremation a more practical option for many families (CANA, 2019).
The rise of the cremation movement was also bolstered by the influence of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), founded in 1913. CANA advocated for the benefits of cremation and worked to standardize practices and regulations. By the mid-20th century, flame-based cremation had gained wider acceptance, and its popularity continued to grow (slowly). In fact, In the 1970s, the cremation rate in the United States remained relatively low, with only about 5% of deceased individuals being cremated. This period, however, marked the beginning of a gradual increase in cremation rates as societal attitudes toward cremation started to shift (CANA, 2020). As of 2019, the cremation rate in the United States surpassed 54%, reflecting a significant cultural shift toward this method of handling human remains (CANA, 2019).
Today, flame-based cremation remains widely accepted and practiced across the United States and Canada. But… perhaps the environmental and health concerned it intended to alleviate might have only shifted the burden. Stay tuned…
References
Cremation Association of North America. (2019). Cremation statistics report. Retrieved from https://www.cremationassociation.org
Cremation Association of North America. (2020). Annual statistics report. https://www.cremationassociation.org/page/IndustryStatistics
Prothero, S. (2001). Purified by fire: A history of cremation in America. University of California Press.
Vlach, J. M. (2002). The influence of urbanization on the rise of cremation in the United States. Journal of American History, 89(2), 452-476.
