Choosing Cremation Throughout History

Historically, methods of to disposing of the deceased have always been complicated.  There are hundreds of specific traditions worldwide and throughout the ages.  From the ancient Egyptians to the Roman-Catholics, these processes are full of tradition that memorialized our lost loved ones, neighbors and leaders.

Though cremation seems like it has only recently become popular, cremations urns discovered by archaeologists date back thousands of years.  Many people choose cremation for their pets because it does not require the manual effort of a home burial or the expense of purchasing a plot in a pet cemetery.  Finding an urn that helps one to remember their pet and displaying that urn in their home as a lasting legacy to the animal is also a nice touch.

Dating back to the Stone Age, there is evidence of cremation.  Ancient urns have been discovered in various places around Europe and Asia.  With carbon dating and other archaeological techniques, it can be discerned that cremation remained at the forefront until the rise of Christianity, where burial became the more popular tradition for some time.

In the 1800s, the practice of cremation was again revived, particularly in Europe.  It is also around this time that pet cremation came into play.  As an inexpensive method of disposal that allows owners to retain a keepsake of their beloved animal companions, cremation has provided an alternative to burial for generations and will do so for many more to come.

The process has grown so popular that there are even organizations devoted to the practice and regulation of cremation throughout the world.  The Cremation Society of North America was founded in 1913 (when it was called “The Cremation Society of America”; it was renamed in 1975).  These organizations maintain the standards of the cremation process and ensure its reputability.

With human cremation, often times the ashes are spread in areas the person held dear.  Sometimes they are distributed amongst family members for them to release as they see fit.  Urns are far more common, though.  There are hundreds of options out there for beautiful urns that suit your lost loved one.  There are even companies that make custom urns to add detail to the memorial specific to the person or pet you are remembering.

When it comes to pets, most owners choose to keep the ashes of their deceased friend in an urn so that the pet can “live on” with them in their home and be remembered daily.  After all, these wonderful little creatures spent their lives with us in our homes and should be honored there throughout our lives.

To learn more about urn burial versus keeping an urn in your home, read the next article in my series.