The History of Cremation
To save money
To save land
Personal preference
Simplicity and convenience
Environmental concerns
Today, cremation is practiced in at least 31 countries around the world. Countries such as Japan (97%), Great Britain (70%), and Scandinavia (65%) have the highest percentage of cremations. Although the percentages of cremations in Canada and the United States are lower (38% and 25%, respectively)1, cremation is a widely-accepted and commonly used rite and funeral practice. Most religions allow for cremation within their beliefs, with the exception of Orthodox Jews, Eastern Orthodox religions, and Islam. Islam teachings instruct followers to bury their dead as quickly as possible, preferably the same day. Orthodox Jews oppose cremation on the grounds of biblical rulings, but the horrendous acts of the Holocaust influences the opinion of many secular and religious Jews against the practice of cremation. While the views of religious groups and traditions hold a strong influence on funeral practices, societal, ecological, and economic needs do as well. Since the invention of the first modern crematory, cremation services have continued to grow in popularity across the world, such as the cremation options available in Tulsa OK now. There really is no traditional form of burial because so many forms have been used since the earliest civilizations. It’s all a manner of what fits your family and your culture.