Cremation in America - Hardcover

Rosen, Fred

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1591021367 ISBN 13: 9781591021360

Publisher: Prometheus, 2004

Synopsis

In this captivating review of the history, the practice, and the industry of cremation in America, award-winning former New York Times columnist Fred Rosen provides an authoritative source of information and many revealing facts about an increasingly common, yet still controversial, alternative to burial.Rosen gives an entertaining first person account of his inquiry into the practice of cremation and its roots. He describes the early ancient custom of cremation by funeral pyre and then explores why the rising Church banned the practice as a sacrilege. He then traces the underpinnings of the modern cremation movement in the late 19th century among a colorful group of intellectuals and physicians. This 19th century group endorsed this then illegal practice as a means to improve public health―as a way to prevent seepage of burial grounds from polluting ground water and spreading disease.Rosen goes on to examine, in today's world, people's feelings about death and religion as well as their sensitivities to cremation. Given certain abuses, he believes that this industry needs to be regulated. However, he finds much in favor of cremation when firsthand comparing its costs vs. the excesses and extravagances of the burial funeral industry.In an age when over 25 percent of the population is turning to cremation as a preferred funeral arrangement, this book offers much timely, useful, and engrossing information.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

"This unusual piece of writing is equal parts social history and personal memoir. Rosen . . . has gathered anthropological facts on the treatment of human remains in recorded history and goes on to lobby for cremation as a cheaper alternative to traditional burial, even for those whose religion frowns upon it." by Publishers Weekly

In this captivating review of the history and practice of cremation in America as well as the growing industry, award-winning author Fred Rosen provides an authoritative source valuable information and revealing facts about an increasingly common, yet still controversial, alternative to burial.

Rosen gives an intriguing first-person account of his inquiry into the practice of cremation and its roots. He describes the ancient custom of cremation by funeral pyre and then explores why the early Christian Church, as a direct result of its belief in Christ's resurrection, banned the practice as a sacrilege. He then traces the underpinnings of the modern cremation movement in the late nineteenth century among a colorful group of intellectuals and physicians. This group endorsed the then illegal practice as a means to improve public health - as a way to prevent burial-site seepage from polluting ground water and spreading disease.

Rosen goes on to examine people's feelings today about death and religion as these relate to their sensitivities to cremation. Given recent appalling abuses, such as the 2002 Tri-State Crematory scandal, he believes that the funeral industry needs to be better regulated. However, he finds much favor of cremation when comparing its costs versus the excesses and extravagances of the burial funeral industry.

In an age when over 25 percent of the population is turning to cremation as a preferred funeral arrangement (a percentage that is expected to rise to 40 percent in the next ten years), this book offers much timely, useful, and vital information to enable the reader to evaluate the information a funeral director is providing or that a crematorium is offering. Sample forms needed for arranging a cremation are also included, as well as appendices that include lists of celebrities who were cremated.

About the Author

Fred Rosen (Woodstock, NY) is an award-winning former columnist for the New York Times and the author of thirteen books including Lobster Boy. He currently is an adjunct associate professor of communications at the New York Institute of Technology.

About this edition

• Publisher: Prometheus
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1591021367
• ISBN 13: 9781591021360
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 278