When cremation started to gain traction in the United States in the 1800s, not everyone was happy about it. Sure, cremation is cheaper than burial and you get to keep your loved with you, but some found the ancient custom of cremation tacky or even unchristian. I found this newspaper article in an 1874 newspaper that addressed the issue of cremation. The writer’s thoughts are quite clear on the practice (the sarcasm will give it away).
CREMATION
This ancient practice has been recently revived, and, like every new idea, it is rapidly recruiting many adherents. In our own country, societies are in process of formation, and gas ovens are constructed to promote the perfect burning of the dead. Some persons believe that the prayer-book alludes to cremation, and thus sanctions it, in the words of the burial service: “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” This certainly has a remarkable appearance in the present excitement.
The wildest reports are now put in circulation, and it has been asserted that some persons in this city have been burned. Of course, this is untrue, for the law prohibits such a procedure.
If cremation should become universal, what an impressive arrangement could be made of the urns or jars in which are collected the incinerated remains of the departed. For instance, we might inform our sympathizing friends that the ashes of Julia Maria, aged 13, are deposited in the third pickle jar on the right of the shelf, and dear little Tommy reposes on the extreme verge of the mantel. We need not now bury our dead out of our sight, but we can always carry them with us. If a man cannot earn his living in this world, he may be able to urn his dead. Cremation is spreading and the undertakers are indignant and alarmed at the prospect of losing their trade. We will soon have an exciting time over the subject. [Source]
Crematory Age
In another newspaper blip from the same year, the paper is once again poking fun at cremation:
“‘O, ma! ma! Johnny’s got the urn and is spilling pa’s ashes over the floor!’
“‘O, what a naughty Johnny! Get the feather duster and sweep your poor father right up!’” [Source]
