Over the concluding 40 years, irresolute demographics and attitudes nearly faith take played a major role in the increasing popularity of cremation at the end of life. Although America was once a country with a large Christian majority where burial in the world was the norm, cremation is now the choice of more than than twoscore% of Americans, as compared to only 3.5% merely l years agone.

What changed? Immigration from parts of the world where other religions, such equally Islam and Hinduism have resulted in some changes to American customs. Yet this is probably not the about important factor.

American's attitudes almost religion and the role information technology plays in their decision-making at the end of life have also changed. Since the 1960s, there has been increased interest in religions such every bit Buddhism. To an even greater extent, yet, more and more than Americans no longer have strong religious preferences at all.

In this series, we have covered many of the major earth religions' attitudes towards cremation and behavior virtually decease. A brief overview of the religions we accept covered include:

judaism-cremation

Judaism and Cremation

For thousands of years, Jewish police force has held that burial in the basis was the only adequate pick for the Jewish faith. Today, although the Jewish organized religion however by and large discourages cremation, Reform Judaism has begun to be more accepting of the practise. If a person chooses to be cremated, about Reform Jewish cemeteries today will let their remains to be cached in Jewish cemeteries, although often they stipulate that the cremains must nonetheless be buried in a coffin.  Orthodox Judaism, still, remains strongly opposed to cremation.

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Christianity and Cremation

Like Judaism, Christianity throughout near of its history has been opposed to cremation. Withal, in recent times cremation has go more acceptable within most of the mainstream Protestant churches, likewise as Catholicism. These changes have happened for a number of reasons, the most of import of which is that cremation is no longer understood by these churches to impede resurrection. Burial is still the preferred practice, but cremation does not stand in the way of an individual receiving a church building funeral or being interred in a church-owned cemetery.

However, although cremation is growing in popularity among Christians, some sects of Christianity, such equally the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches, retain more historical views of resurrection and exercise non consider cremation to be an acceptable practice for a Christian.

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Quran, central religious text of Islam

Islam and Cremation

Of all globe religions, Islam is probably the well-nigh strongly opposed to cremation. Unlike Judaism and Christianity, there is little diverseness of opinion nigh information technology. Cremation is considered past Islam to be an unclean practice. Muslims are forbidden to take role in the act of cremation in any way, including witnessing the event or even stating approval of information technology. This disapproval is based on beliefs that the body after death should be treated with the same respect as information technology was in life, the belief that some part of the torso may be necessary for resurrection, and the belief that the body is required for mourning every bit a reminder that death comes to all.

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The Salt Lake Temple is the largest (of more than 120 around the

Mormons and Cremation

The Church building of Jesus Christ of Latter Solar day Saints, generally known equally Mormons, take some unique behavior about the body. Unlike nearly of mainstream Christianity, LDS members believe that the torso is inextricably tied to the soul. Because of this, they are more often than not advised to avoid cremation unless information technology is required by police. However, Mormonism does not prohibit cremation; it is not seen as a hindrance to resurrection, and cremation does not prevent Mormons from receiving an LDS memorial service or funeral.

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Jehovah's witness standing at the door and holding Bible

Jehovah'due south Witnesses and Cremation

Members of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Lodge, known as Jehovah's Witnesses, differ from many other Christians in that they believe in spiritual rather than concrete resurrection. They do not believe that they will have a body if they are resurrected. Because they believe a physical body is not required for resurrection, the faith does not take any prohibitions against cremation. Members are advised to consider local community and laws, and then brand the conclusion that is right for their family unit.

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Buddha statue Hong Kong. Ancient buddhism sculpture

Buddhism and Cremation

Buddhism is a fix of teachings or practices that are based on the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha or the "enlightened one," who lived in Bharat more than ii,500 years agone. Buddhism isn't a religion in the sense of requiring a conventionalities in a creator god, or indeed, any god. Buddhism does non require Buddhists to follow a prescribed fix of funeral practices; many Buddhists choose cremation considering the Buddha was cremated but burial is likewise permissible.

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hindu-cremation-information

Hinduism and Cremation

The Hindu view of the body and soul is that the soul is inherently pure, only it must have a body in which to live. The trunk is decumbent to desires and attachments that keep it bound to the mortal world. At death the soul leaves one trunk and enters another, a process which volition happen many times until the soul, perfected, achieves "mukti" or union with the Source. This procedure is called reincarnation and is the basis for Hinduism's close association with cremation. Cremation encourages the soul to leave the trunk and more toward mukti.

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cremation-and-atheism

Atheism and Cremation

Atheism is the fastest growing "religion" in America according to Pew Research, and is a major factor in cremation's increasingly popularity over the last 40 or so years. Atheism isn't actually a faith at all; atheists practise not believe in god, or gods, nor exercise they believe in souls, supernatural beings or life after expiry in any grade. Even so, they may have other behavior that guide their life and decisions. In general, atheists cannot be said to have gear up beliefs about cremation or burial and will typically brand these decisions based on their own needs and concerns.

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If yous or a loved one is considering cremation, nosotros at Neptune Society encourage you to consider carefully your own position on the subject, discuss your options with your religious leader, and make the choice you believe is right for y'all and your family. For more than articles in this series, delight run across our religion and cremation article archive.

The Neptune Society is the nation's oldest and largest provider of affordable cremation services. Whether you accept an firsthand demand or want to programme cremation services in advance, we are e'er bachelor to assist you and your family.

Telephone call ane-800-NEPTUNE (800-637-8863) today or contact the states online to learn more.