Have you ever wondered how people in the olden ages disposed of their dead? Today, there are two options and that is to be in a cremated or be in plotsat their chosen burial ground. Whether the decision is one or the other, the decision must still be made by the individual.

Talking about the olden ages, archaeologists have noted that from ancient times, cremation was the way to send off the physical body of the dead. Even from the Stone Age, there were already practices of burning their dead. This is especially reminiscent of the adage where it says our bodies came from dust and so to dust it will return.

Before the time of Christ, cremation was a widespread practice. Even cemeteries for cremated remains were established during those times. It was during the time of the Romans when they began to store the remains of their loved ones in elaborate urns.

When the time of Christ came, there were already burials that happened even without cremating the body. However, the thought of burying the dead became more rampant in Christianity due to the body of Christ who died and was buried. A lot of Christians even thought that cremation of the dead was paganistic and this was when in ground burial of the dead became more popular.

For many years after the time of Christ, burying the dead in ground became the norm. It was in 1873 when the first crematory was built in Europe and then 3 years later, the United States followed suit.

Soon, the cremation niches started to increase, albeit slowly at first. As more and more crematories opened in the following years, the number of those who chose for their bodies to be cremated also increased. Perhaps it is because of environmental worries that more people chose to be burned instead of buried in the ground, or because they want to be kept close by their loved ones in an urn for memorials.

Today, there are more people who choose be cremated; however, this does not mean that in ground burial is also losing its popularity.