How Cremation Began & Its History in the United States | Wooden Urns & Legacy

Cremation, the process of reducing the deceased to ashes through burning, has become one of the most commonly selected end-of-life choices in the United States. Alongside burials, cremation has evolved culturally, socially, and legally. And as cremation practices became more widespread, memorial items like wooden urns have emerged as deeply meaningful ways to honor loved ones. In this post, we explore how cremation began, how it developed in the U.S., and the significance of choosing a wooden urn as part of a memorial.

Ancient & Early Roots of Cremation

Though this blog focuses on the U.S., cremation as a practice stretches back thousands of years. Scholars generally agree that the earliest evidence of cremation appears during the early Stone Age, around 3000 B.C.
Civilizations like ancient India, Greece, and Rome practiced cremation, often collecting the ashes into urns – sometimes pottery or decorative forms. 

These ancient urns served both practical and symbolic purposes: they held remains, allowed for rites of passage, and served as memorial objects. Today, contemporary urns—including wooden urns—are part of that same lineage of tangible remembrance.

Cremation’s Introduction in the United States

The First Modern Crematories

Modern cremation was not seen in the U.S. until the mid-19th century. The first crematory was built in Washington, Pennsylvania, by Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne in 1876. 

LeMoyne’s motivation was partly sanitary: he believed that decomposing bodies in traditional cemeteries might contaminate water supplies and spread disease. 

Growth of Cremation Societies & Cultural Resistance

After the first crematory, expansion was gradual. The second U.S. crematory opened in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1884.

Early cremation faced resistance. Many religious groups were opposed, cultural norms preferred traditional burial, and there were legal and moral questions. But public health concerns, changing social attitudes, and innovations in cremation technology slowly eroded the opposition.

Institutionalization & Rise of Cremation in the 20th Century

By the early 1900s, cremation societies and associations started forming to legitimize and organize these practices. In 1913, Dr. Hugo Erichsen founded the Cremation Association of America (later Cremation Association of North America, CANA) when there were about 52 crematories in North America.

By 1975, the U.S. & Canada had over 425 crematories, performing a growing portion of total death disposals.

In more recent decades, cremation rates have steadily increased. By 1999, there were nearly 1,468 crematories in North America, and by the 2010s, more than 3,000.

Today, more than half of Americans choose cremation over traditional burial. Growing awareness of cost, environmental concerns, and changing spiritual or personal preferences drive this shift. 

The Role of Urns in Cremation: Wooden Urns & Their Significance

As cremation became more common, the question of what to do with ashes gained importance. Urns—containers for cremated remains—are central to memorializing. They allow families to keep ashes safely at home, bury them, scatter them, or enshrine them in columbariums. Among the materials used for urns—metal, stone, ceramic—wooden urns hold a special place.

Why Choose Wooden Urns

• Natural Aesthetic & Warmth: Wood has a timeless, warm character. A wooden urn often feels more personal, rustic, and connected to nature.
• Customization: Wooden urns are easier to personalize—engraving names, dates, symbols, or even adding photo panels or hand-painted designs.
• Environmental Consideration: For those concerned with eco-friendly memorials, wood (especially from sustainable sources) can have a lower environmental impact than heavy metals or stone.
• Tradition & Symbolism: Wood has symbolism in many cultures—life, growth, continuity. It echoes the idea of returning to earth.

When people plan cremation and choose an urn, wooden urns offer a blend of dignity, tradition, and customization. A product like one from WoodenUrnStore.com can provide beautifully crafted wooden urns that honor memory in a natural, personal way.

Legal, Cultural & Social Changes Around Cremation

Over the years, laws and regulations adjusted to accommodate cremation. Health departments, funeral boards, and cemetery authorities developed licensing, standards for crematories, handling of remains, and urn disposition.

Religious attitudes also shifted. Where once many Christian denominations resisted cremation, nowadays many accept it. Some still prefer burial; others allow cremated remains as long as certain rituals are respected.

Cremation ceremonies themselves diversified: from simple direct cremation (no viewing or ceremony) to elaborate services with urn internment or scattering ceremonies. The choice of urn—its material, design, and placement—became part of the ceremony, part of legacy.

Cremation, Wooden Urns & Memorial Trends Today

• Growing Preference for Cremation: As noted, by the early 21st century, more than 50% of deaths in the U.S. were handled via cremation.
• Diverse Funeral Options: Many opt for “green” cremation, biodegradable urns, or eco-friendly memorials. Wooden urns often align well with these preferences.
• Design Innovation: Urns are no longer purely functional; artistic expression is strong. Wooden urns now come in many styles, finishes, shapes.
• Commemoration & Keepsakes: Families often keep urns in homes, gardens, or memorial spaces. The urn becomes a touchpoint for remembrance. Choosing a wooden urn from a specialized store ensures quality, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

Case Study: The First U.S. Crematorium & Its Legacy

To humanize the story: Dr. Julius LeMoyne’s crematory in Pennsylvania opened in 1876, the first modern crematory in the U.S.

• The very first cremation was on December 6, 1876. 
• LeMoyne believed it was a necessary sanitary reform. 
• Though it closed in 1901, the site remains a historical landmark. 

This early effort laid the foundation for everything that followed: legal acceptance, the emergence of cremation societies, the normalizing of urns for memorials, and the flexibility of modern memorial practices.

Choosing a Wooden Urn: Tips & Considerations

If you or someone you know is planning for cremation and considering a wooden urn, here are some pointers:

1. Material & Finish: Different woods (oak, walnut, maple, mahogany etc.) offer distinct grain, color, durability. Finish (varnished, stained, natural) affects look and longevity.
2. Sealing & Interior: Ensure proper sealing to protect ashes from moisture, pests, damage. Some wooden urns include interior liners or capsules.
3. Size & Capacity: Ashes volume is roughly proportional to body size, but urns often come in standard sizes. Always check capacity.
4. Personalization: Engravings, nameplates, carvings, or inlays can make the urn more personal. Wooden urns are often easier to personalize.
5. Purpose & Display: Will the urn sit in your home, be buried, placed in a columbarium, or scattered? The intended location may affect design and material.
6. Legality & Regs: Some jurisdictions have rules for scattering or storing ashes. Always check local laws.

Conclusion

Cremation in the United States has come a long way: from early symbolic practices, through the first crematories in the late 19th century, to a widespread accepted choice in the 21st century. Alongside the growth of cremation, memorial practices—especially the selection of urns—have evolved. Wooden urns represent a deeply human way to preserve memory: warm, customizable, and rooted in tradition.

Whether for aesthetics, environmental reasons, or personal meaning, wooden urns stand as enduring artifacts of remembrance. For anyone interested in quality wooden urns, from craftsmanship to personalization, WoodenUrnStore.com offers a range that respects both memory and meaning.