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'''Cremation''' is the [[burning]] to ashes of a person's body after death, rather than burying the body or otherwise honoring it.  Often the ashes of a cremated corpse are then dispersed over water or land.

'''Cremation''' is the [[burning]] to ashes of a person's body after death, rather than burying the body or otherwise honoring it.  Often the ashes of a cremated corpse are then dispersed over water or land.

Cremation has ancient [[pagan]] origins, and implicitly denies the resurrection of the body. In Western cultures, cremation is most favored by [[atheists]].  It has always been prohibited by [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]] and is still prohibited by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].  The [[Roman Catholic Church]] prohibited cremation until 1963, which it changed its policy to merely disfavoring cremation.  Until 1997, the [[Catholic Church]] did not allow cremation until after the funeral mass, but now it allows cremation prior to the funeral mass if a local bishop approves, and Catholic cremations have greatly increased partly for [[economic]] reasons.

Cremation has ancient [[pagan]] origins, and implicitly denies the resurrection of the body. In Western cultures, cremation is most favored by [[atheists]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}} It has always been prohibited by [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]] and is still prohibited by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].  The [[Roman Catholic Church]] prohibited cremation until 1963, which it changed its policy to merely disfavoring cremation.  Until 1997, the [[Catholic Church]] did not allow cremation until after the funeral mass, but now it allows cremation prior to the funeral mass if a local bishop approves, and Catholic cremations have greatly increased partly for [[economic]] reasons.

Every single reference in the [[Bible]] to the disposition of the bodies of the deceased disfavors cremation.<ref>http://www.epm.org/articles/cremation.html</ref>

Every single reference in the [[Bible]] to the disposition of the bodies of the deceased disfavors cremation.<ref>http://www.epm.org/articles/cremation.html</ref>