Unit 1

• Alkaline Hydrolysis


  A process that uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat and sometimes pressure and agitation, to accelerate natural decomposition, leaving bone fragments
• Cremation


  The reduction of a dead body to inorganic bone fragments by intense heat in a specifically designed retort or chamber
• Cremated Remains


  The final product remaining after completion of the entire cremation/pulverization process. The product is never referred to as "cremains"
• Crematory (Crematorium)


  A furnace or retort for cremating dead human bodies; a building that houses a retort
• Retort


  The burning chamber in a crematory. This is also referred to as a "cremator"
• Inurnment


  The act of placing cremains in an urn (CANA Definition) act of placing cremated remains in a niche or a grave
• Niche


  A recess or space in a columbarium used for the permanent placing of cremated remains. The aesthetic covering for a foot cap or inner foot panel of the casket
• Columbarium


  A structure, room, or space in a mausoleum or other building containing niches or recesses used to hold cremated remains
• History of Cremation


  1. Cremation first occurred in the early Stone Age around 3000 B.C.

  2. Cremation spread to various regions from the Bronze Age.

  3. Cremation was the predominant method of disposition among the Ancient Scandinavians until the Tenth Century A.D.

  4. Cremation was adopted by the Romans around 600 B.C.

  5. Christianization of the Roman Empire marked the beginning of the end of acceptance of cremation.

  6. First cremation performed in the U.S. after the Revolutionary War.

  7. Italian scientists invented an oven to cremate bodies between 1869-1872.
• Scholars believe that cremation first occurred in the early Stone Age somewhere around 3000 BC
• The Greeks are credited as being among the first to cremate doing so on a pile of wood called a "Pyre"
• The Greeks used cremation based on a belief in a disembodied existence as well as public health concerns
• Cremation had become so closely aligned with valor, patriotism and military glory, the Greeks came to believe that it was the only fitting way to dispose of a body after an epic life. Suicides, untoothed children, and persons struck by lightning were denied cremation.
• The Ancient Scandinavians believed in cremation as protection from the dead; and as an aid in freeing the spirit of the dead
• The Ancient Scandinavians have influenced modern funeral customs through the concept of the disembodied souls which through the ceremonies by the living is liberated from the body to then enter into the spiritual life
• Cremation became so prevalent in Roman society that official decrees were issued in the mid-5th century against cremating bodies within the city walls of Rome
• Christianization of the Roman Empire by Constantine marked the beginning of the end of acceptance of cremation, with earth burial becoming the accepted manner of disposition of the dead for the next 1,500 years
• The first cremation performed in the United States after the Revolutionary War was to Colonel Henry Laurens, the former president of the continental congress
• Between 1869 to 1872 three Italian scientists worked independently to invent an oven which could generate enough heat to cremate a body
• Charlemagne decreed that cremation was punishable by death in 789 A.D.
• Pope Boniface issued a statement that any Catholic who cremates or participates in cremation will be excommunicated in 1300.
• Colonel Henry Laurens, the former president of the continental congress, died and indicated that his body be cremated in his last will and testament


  December 1792
• Colonel Laurens' cremation


  His body was wrapped in 12 yards of tow-cloth and burned on a pyre built on his estate
• Three Italian scientists worked independently to invent an oven which could generate enough heat to cremate a body


  1869 to 1872
• Professor Brunetti's cremation oven


  The furnace was of refracting brick and the body was cremated by placing it on a metal plate suspended by an iron wire
• The first legal cremation in England occurred


  1885
• The first crematory in the United States was built by Dr. Julius LeMoyne in Washington Pennsylvania


  1876
• The first cremation of Baron Joseph Henry Louis Charles dePalm occurred on December 6, 1876 and was a media sensation
• LeMoyne's crematory was used a total of 25 times before closing
• From 1876 to 1884 only 41 cremations were performed in the United States
• By 1900 there were 20 crematories in the United States
• The percentage of cremations to total deaths did not approach one percent by 1900
• The Cremation Association of North America or CANA was formed as an international organization of cemeterians, cremationists, funeral directors, industry suppliers and consultants


  1913
• CANA is recognized as the national authority for all information and education on cremation
• The practice of cremation did not catch on again until

  1960's
• In the early 1960's, traditional funerals were the norm throughout the United States
• The book "The American Way of Death" by Jessica Mitford was released, which criticized traditional funerals and advocated for simple non-embalmed, non-casketed cremation services


  1963
• The population of the United States became more diverse and mobile, and society, especially its youth, questioned authority and tradition
• Consumers looked for simpler, less expensive options to the traditional funeral
• The age of consumerism arrived with California leading the way with the new rise of cremation societies


  1970's