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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. |
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| − | 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. | + | 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. |
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| | 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> |
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| | == Hindu Position on Cremation == | | == Hindu Position on Cremation == |
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| − | Since at least 1900 B.C. [[Hinduism]] has supported use of a funeral pyre to burn a body after death. Hindus almost exclusively cremate the bodies either in a funeral pyre or in an electric crematorium. | + | Since at least 1900 B.C. [[Hinduism]] has supported use of a funeral pyre to burn a body after death. |
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| | == Secular Reasons to Oppose Cremation == | | == Secular Reasons to Oppose Cremation == |
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| | Some environmentalists have objected to cremation due to toxic fumes caused by the burning of dental fixtures and jewelry. | | Some environmentalists have objected to cremation due to toxic fumes caused by the burning of dental fixtures and jewelry. |
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| − | == Possible benefits of cremation ==
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| − | Some argue that cremation is more environmentally friendly as burial is a known source of environmental toxins, from the corpse, embalming substances and the coffin.
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| − | Another reason for cremation is the lack of space for burial, especially in highly populated areas. Cremation avoids the need of the corpse taking up space for hundreds of years.
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| | == Laws Concerning Burial or Cremation == | | == Laws Concerning Burial or Cremation == |