Religious views have changed a lot over the past 40 years and some of those views is helping to increase the popularity of cremation. Burial in the earth was the norm in the Unites States, however, now more that 50% of people are choosing cremation. In fact, the CDC estimates that in the nest 20 years the rate will climb to near 75% of people choosing cremation. That's a big changes! The lessening of Christianity's role plays a part, as does immigration. Also, in some ways the US is just catching up to the rest of the world. Many Americans today have no religious preferences at all, making cremation an acceptable, if not preferred, option.
Burial is still the preferred practice, but cremation does not stand in the way of an individual receiving a church funeral or being interred in a church-owned cemetery. Throughout most of its history Christianity has been opposed to cremation. The practice has become more acceptable within most of the mainstream Protestant and Catholic Churches in the last century. Today, the church doesn't believe cremation eliminates resurrection.
There are still some sects of Christianity—such as the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches—that maintain more historical views of resurrection and do not consider cremation to be an acceptable practice for a Christian.
Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), have some unique beliefs about the body. LDS members believe that the body is inextricably tied to the soul and they are generally advised to avoid cremation unless required by law. Mormonism does not prohibit cremation and it is not seen as a hindrance to resurrection.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in spiritual rather than physical 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. Jehovah's Witnesses do not have anything against cremation. Members are advised to consider local customs and laws, then make the decision that is right for them.
Jewish law has held that burial in the ground was the only acceptable option for the Jewish faith for several mellinia. Today, Reform Judaism is more accepting of the practice. Most Reform Jewish cemeteries today allow their remains to be buried in Jewish cemeteries, although often they stipulate that the cremains must still be buried in a coffin. Orthodox Judaism, on the other hand, remains strongly opposed to cremation.
Islam is the religion most strongly opposed to cremation. There is little diversity of opinion about it in the church. The belief is that the body after death should be treated with the same respect as it was in life, and the belief that the body is required for mourning and as a reminder that death comes to all of us. Islam considers cremation to be an unclean practice. Muslims are forbidden to take part in the act.
Buddhism isn’t a religion in that it doesn't require a belief in a creator or god. Buddhists do not follow a prescribed set of funeral practices; many Buddhists choose cremation because the Buddha was cremated but burial is permissible.
To Hindus the soul is pure, but it must have a body in which to live. The body is prone to desires and attachments that keep it bound to the mortal world. When one dies the soul leaves one body and enters another. This process is called reincarnation and is the basis for Hinduism’s close association with cremation. Cremation encourages the soul to leave the body.
Atheism is the fastest growing “religion” in the United States according to research, and is a big reason for cremation’s increasing popularity over the last 40 years. Atheism isn’t actually a religion and atheists cannot be said to have set beliefs about cremation or burial and will typically make these decisions based on their own needs and concerns.
