CREMATION

The Changing Landscape of Cemeteries

History of Cremation

Cremation Association Web site (www.cremationassociation.org/html/history.html)

Current movement dates to late 1800’s Professor Brunetti, Italy, 1873 developed a

workable chamber Cremation society of England founded in 1874

and first crematories in 1878

United states First crematory in Pennsylvania in 1876

(Dr. Julius LeMoyne) 1884 saw a second one built in

Pennsylvania Big push came from Protestant clergy And medical profession By 1913 when Cremation Association of

American was created, 52 crematories and 10,000 cremations

By 1999 – 1,468 crematories & 595,617 cremations

Statistics

What are the top 5 countries in the world cremating individuals, % of death

Bottom 5 counties, % of death Top 5 States in U.S., % of death Bottom 5 States, % of death Where does Minnesota fit?

Questions What patterns can you discern if any? Is there anything about the ones that do

vs. those that don’t? Why is cremation going up? What impact will this trend have on the

cultural records of graveyards? What is a “green” burial? Where do you stand? Are you for or

against cremations?

Top countries

Hong Kong, 80.75% Czech Republic, 76.04% Switzerland, 75.51% Denmark, 71.30% Great Britain, 70.70 Sweden, 69.57%

Bottom Countries

Cuba, .47% Ghana, 1.78% Republic of Ireland, 5.40% South Africa, 6.0% Italy, 6.62% Argentina, 7.53%

Top U.S. Hawaii, 61.26 Nevada, 60.69% Washington, 60.58% Oregon, 59.09% Arizona, 56.47% Alaska, 54.85% Montana, 53.13% Colorado, 50.79% California, 48.45% New Hampshire, 48.34%

Bottom U.S. Alabama, 4.44% Tennessee, 4.95% Mississippi, 7.20% Kentucky, 9.05% Louisiana, 12.13% West Virginia, 13.95 Arkansas, 15.93% South Carolina, 16.26% Indiana, 16.27% South Dakota, 16.97%

Minnesota

33.04% in 2002