Cremation continues to grow in popularity, but is still misunderstood by some people. As more people seek to dispel the myths and embrace cremation as a viable, safe and effective way to say goodbye to your loved one, it makes sense to revisit the history of cremation.The history of cremationThe first evidence of cremation in the archaeological record dates to 20,000 B.C. in Mungo Lake, Australia. In the Middle East and Europe, there is evidence of cremation as early as the Neolithic period (9500 B.C).Cremation in China dates back to 8000 B.C.. Early Persians practiced cremation, which was later prohibited in the Zoroastrian period (600 B.C). In Zoroastrian scripture, a body is a host for decay and fire was considered sacred. The Phoenicians practiced cremation beginning in 1100 B.C., burying the ashes in a trench with the urn on one side and household furnishings on the other.Greeks practiced cremation from 3000 B.C. until 1200 B.C., when new Christian burial practices emerged. Romans...
