Changes

'''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.  The practice was traditionally so rare in Western societies that the word "cremation" did even not originate until 1874.

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]].  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.