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Written by Betty Gardiner.
9 minute read
Exploring the history of cremation takes us back through centuries of tradition and change. With its ups and downs of popularity, cremation provides us with an interesting look at societal development, evolving traditions, and shifts in cultural attitudes towards death and memorial practices.
Key takeaways:
The origin of cremation stretches back thousands of years, making it one of the oldest known funeral traditions in the world. In ancient Greece, cremation may have been a practical matter due to disease or as a simple way to transport the remains of fallen soldiers back home. When Rome became the new powerhouse of the ancient world, they too picked up cremation as a practice, reflecting the growing interest in cremation across different cultures.
Archaeological evidence found in Bronze Age cemeteries in Britain shows that cremation was a prevalent mortuary practice. However, as Christianity rose as the prominent religion in medieval Europe, including Britain, cremation became less common. This was due to the Christian belief that the body must be kept whole for resurrection. Eventually, cremation was no longer practised in the UK.
Archaeologists have even found cremated human remains dating back over 20,000 years, indicating the very ancient origins of this practice.
Cremation witnessed a renaissance in Victorian England, mostly led by Sir Henry Thompson, a surgeon to Queen Victoria and a public health advocate. He placed himself at the heart of the movement to introduce cremation into British society after being concerned with the spread of disease in crowded cities.
In 1874, Thompson published a paper arguing that cremation would not only improve public hygiene but also prevent premature burials, reduce funeral costs, and spare mourners from harsh weather at gravesides.
Thompson thought cremation was a necessary sanitary measure but his campaign sparked widespread debate. Eventually, he established The Cremation Society of England, marking a pivotal moment in the history of UK cremation practices.
The road to getting the public to accept cremation had its challenges. Despite this, the Cremation Society built the first crematorium in Woking in 1879.
Legal recognition came about when Welsh physician and political activist, Dr William Price was tried for attempting to cremate his son that had died in 1884. The court ruled that cremation was legal provided it caused no public nuisance, marking a significant moment in the cremation movement and laying the groundwork for the growing acceptance of cremation.
The first cremation in the UK to gain legal recognition took place in 1885 at Woking Crematorium, marking the start of formal cremation practices in Britain. Mrs. Jeannette C. Pickersgill, a notable literary and scientific personality, was the first to be cremated. By the end of the year, The Cremation Society had overseen two more cremations, setting a trend that saw its popularity continue to rise.
In 1902, Parliament passed the Cremation Act, formally regulating cremation and authorising local burial authorities to establish crematoria.
From the early 20th century, the landscape began to change as more crematoria were established across the UK. By 2022, cremation was chosen for almost 80% of all funerals in the British Isles, as reported by The Cremation Society. Today, an increasing number of families are choosing cremation, reflecting a major shift in beliefs on death and funerals in religion, and funeral practices in general over the last 150 years.
Choosing between cremation and burial is a very personal decision. People will often reflect on their circumstances, preferences, religious beliefs and opinions of loved ones. Today, there are different types of cremation to choose from – including traditional, attended, direct, and eco-conscious alternatives – each offering different levels of ceremony, cost, and flexibility.
Here are a few reasons why someone may choose to be cremated after death.
Affordability: A traditional burial can get expensive. Burial and cemetery fees, embalming, a headstone and expenses for a coffin all add up. Cremation costs much less. The SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2025 places the national average cost of cremation at £4,285, whereas they place burial costs at £5,077. With such a large difference in price, it’s no wonder that cremation has become more popular.
Flexibility: A burial service usually must happen at the burial plot, whereas a service for cremation can happen anywhere. This allows families to organise a gathering such as a memorial service or celebration of life somewhere meaningful or accessible for travelling mourners.
Personalisation: Cremation provides a few different ways to memorialise a loved one. Ashes can be scattered across various meaningful places, interred in a family plot or kept in an urn to be close to loved ones. Other cremation ashes ideas include transforming them into jewellery or fireworks for a more unique approach to remembering those who have passed.
Overcrowding of cemeteries: In populated areas where land is limited, cremation becomes a practical choice that addresses space constraints.
Simplicity: A cremation uses fewer resources and it takes less time to plan than a traditional burial. This makes it appealing to those who want to keep their final farewell simple and it is less pressure on those we leave behind.
In recent decades, direct cremation has been an increasingly popular way to say goodbye to those who have died. It’s a no-frills approach where the body is cremated without a formal funeral service, offering families the freedom to remember their loved ones in their own way.
Direct cremation prices are significantly lower than the cost of a traditional funeral. At Aura, direct cremation starts from £1,195, making it one of the most affordable options while still ensuring the same level of dignity, care, and respect.
Not being present for the funeral became useful during the COVID-19 pandemic due to social distancing measures, but a direct cremation has more benefits than just practicalities. It’s less expensive than a burial and a cremation with a service and it’s a simple approach that appeals to those who like to avoid the pomp and circumstance of a traditional funeral.
Families can still honour the person who has passed, sometimes in a more personal and intimate way. A direct cremation is a simple arrangement that cares for the body and conducts a private cremation without any mourners or attendees. Loved ones can then plan a celebration of life or memorial that is more personal and at a pace that suits them during this difficult time of loss.
Are you thinking about a direct cremation, or perhaps seeking a simpler, more meaningful way to arrange your final wishes? Reach out to us at Aura and our friendly team will be happy to help.
Cremation dates back thousands of years. It was widely used in ancient Greece and Rome, and archaeological finds show it was common in Bronze Age Britain too.
Cremation declined during the rise of Christianity. Church doctrine at the time believed the body needed to stay whole for resurrection, so burial replaced cremation.
Cremation became legal in 1884 following a court case involving Dr William Price. The ruling stated it was legal if it caused no public nuisance. The first legal cremation took place in 1885 at Woking Crematorium.
Jeannette C. Pickersgill, a writer and advocate of science and art, was the first person cremated legally in the UK in March 1885.
In Victorian England, Sir Henry Thompson led a campaign for cremation due to overcrowded cemeteries and health risks in cities. His efforts helped introduce cremation as a sanitary and practical alternative.
By 2022, cremation accounted for nearly 80% of funerals in the UK. It has become the preferred choice for many families because of its simplicity, affordability, and flexibility.
Direct cremation is a simple, unattended cremation with no formal service. It’s a dignified, affordable way to say goodbye, allowing families to remember their loved one in their own time and way.
People choose cremation for several reasons, including:
Lower cost compared to burial
Flexibility for memorial services
Personalisation options like scattering ashes or turning them into keepsakes
Space concerns in crowded cemeteries
Simplicity and speed of arrangements
Not all religions view cremation in the same way. Some religions allow it, while others may prefer burial.
For example, Orthodox Judaism strictly forbids cremation; burial is required within 24 hours. Buddhist traditions generally accept cremation as compatible with religious rites. Historically, the Catholic Church even banned cremation, lifting its prohibition only in 1963.
Yes. Families can hold a service before or after the cremation. With direct cremation, there’s no formal service at the crematorium, but loved ones often arrange their own memorial gathering later.
Cremation has less land use than burial but does release emissions. Some crematoria use cleaner technologies. For greener options, some people explore eco-friendly cremation alternatives like water cremation or natural burials.
With Aura’s service, ashes are personally hand-delivered to the family within 21 days. Families can choose to keep, scatter, or inter them depending on their wishes.