Spiritualists were among America's earliest cremation adopters. Death is often considered a mysterious phenomenon that disconnects the soul from the body. In its very essence, death is believed by most to be that separation of ethereal from physical – a transcendence to another plane of existence for the spirit. With the great mystery of death, it is no wonder that the occult is so closely tied with death and this disconnection. This was especially true during the years following the American Civil War – a time when few households had not experienced mourning and even tragedy. With the era also being a time of great exploration in religion, science, spirituality, social issues and medicine, many of the practices that are commonplace in society at present found footing in this time of growth and development in American history, and the cremation movement in America is one such example. The modern cremation movement – that is, the time of experimentation and research of reducing the dead to basic elements in a controlled crematorium environment – began as a sanitary necessity due to the overcrowded conditions of cemeteries in major metropolitan areas. In many cities, decomposing bodies caused fresh drinking water to become contaminated, so encouragement of dissolution of this organic matter by heat and flame began. It was not long, however, before religious discussion became part of the cremation question. More liberal Christian denominations (namely the Methodist Episcopal Church, Unitarians, Universalists, and the like) accepted cremation as did reformed Judaism. Occultists, too, had their own ideas of cremation and its benefits for the dead in the Beyond, while more conservative and orthodox religions denounced it as an evil that burned the body in the physical realm and the soul in the spiritual realm, and a "rebellion against the government of Christ." The Funeral and Cremation of Baron de Palm
But for our story, Henry Steel Olcott takes a different role, that of the originator of the first modern cremation in America. One of the members of the Theosophical Society, a German named Joseph Henry Louis de Palm, had no family and few friends, his only connections being with the Theosophical Society in New York. With the discussion of cremation in the 1870s dominating newspapers across the country, it was de Palm's wish that his remains be cremated at his demise, and he asked Olcott to see it through. When his death occurred in the spring of 1876, Olcott announced that de Palm would be cremated following his Theosophist funeral at the Masonic lodge in Manhattan. As with many of the social, religious, and reform movements in America, there was no precedence, so the press reacted the only way they knew how: massive coverage by many of the most vocal and opinionated reporters of the day. De Palm had requested Olcott to "perform [his] last offices in a fashion that would illustrate the Eastern notions of death and immortality;" and perform he did. The funeral was a grand demonstration of Theosophical ideas and values that dominated newspapers nationwide. A few months later, Olcott transported de Palm's body to Washington, Pennsylvania to be the first person cremated in a modern crematory, another event that garnered great media attention. Cremation’s Role in Theosophy and Spiritualism
A further unique idea that cremationists and occultists held in common with ancient civilizations regarding cremation was the belief that the urn became the new physical identity for the deceased. Often, these urns were placed in a columbarium, which, like its cemetery cousin, was often regarded as a place where the veil was thinnest between the land of the living and the dead. A notable example occurred in Philadelphia where a local attorney who was a prominent Spiritualist in Philadelphia circles became the first person cremated in the crematory there in May 1888. He vowed in life to return in death to "scenes of his life" – and that return purportedly happened a few months later in the dark of night when the crematory's caretaker claimed that he saw him materialize. Similarly, the president of the crematory in Queens, New York, experienced a fantastic sight when, while one night awaiting a funeral that was arriving late, the columbarium came alive, and he was treated to a "spiritual levee" of its inhabitants. It is unclear whether it was clairvoyance or reverie that stirred his sight – and before he can decide the funeral arrives. "The big lantern throws a ray of light across the room" – distracting his attention, and when he turns back, "all somber stand the many urns in their places as before." While the cremation movement in America was urged early for sanitary reasons, it was clear that both Spiritualists and Theosophists saw in it advantages for the transition of the spirit from this realm to the next: the symbolism of the soul's journey to the next realm, a new earthly identity, and transfiguration from physical to spiritual into the Beyond.
As the Halloween season creeps in with its playful frights and deeper reflections, it’s the perfect time to learn about the fascinating intersection of cremation and spiritualism. Just as Halloween invites us to explore with the mysteries of life and death, cremation symbolizes a transformation—where the body returns to the elements, freeing the spirit for its next adventure. In the spirit of the season, CANA hopes you enjoyed this glimpse through the veil of history and embrace the spooky fun while honoring the sacred journey of the soul.
It’s no secret that consumers’ increasing preference for cremation is impacting the traditional funeral home business model. Because cremation services generally produce lower revenue, many funeral home owners are expanding their product and service offerings. Others are discovering ways to serve the needs of new groups within their communities. As reported in IBISWorld industry research and echoed in the NFDA’s 2023 Cremation & Burial Report, “It is predicted that funeral homes will continue to expand their array of extra services offered to families; increase their focus on niche markets to differentiate themselves; and draw attention to their value-added services, such as … serving groups with diverse cultural and religious preferences.” Cultural differences play a significant role in funeral practices and the better we understand the religious and cultural diversity of our communities, the greater our opportunity to serve those groups. Ask yourself three questions:
Celebrating the Day of the DeadFoundation Partners’ Valley Memorial Park team serves many Mexican families in the Portland suburb of Hillsboro, where nearly one-third of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. Annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, held in late October/early November, are extremely important to these families. Rooted in the rituals of the aboriginal American Indian cultures that evolved in Mexico and Central America and later adopted as All Souls Day in the Catholic Church, Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday in which the spirits of the dead are believed to return home and spend time with their relatives. Families build alters and decorate them with yellow marigolds, candles, family photos and tissue-paper skulls to honor their deceased loved ones. Food and beverage offerings are a large part of the celebrations. During Valley Memorial’s Dia de los Muertos celebration, the community gathers to “revel in the spirit of those who live on in our hearts.” Residents are invited to bring photos or mementos of their deceased loved ones to contribute to a communal alter, share in stories, enjoy Mariachi music and dine at food trucks. A local Catholic priest conducts a brief service in Spanish at the altar, which is placed at the foot of the statue of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, who holds a special place in the religious life of Mexico. While the majority of Mexican Americans still choose traditional burial, cremation is increasingly popular among families of Mexican origin in the Portland Metro Area. Providing Cross-border Funeral ServicesIn a country where ancestors are honored and death is regarded as a constant presence, another Mexican tradition is the wish to be buried in one’s place of origin. At Mexico City International Airport, more than 300 bodies arrive each month and this is just one of many ports of entry for remains from the U.S. Our bilingual team at Samaritan Funeral & Cremation Services, with two locations in Phoenix, Arizona, is on the front lines of repatriation of remains for the area’s Mexican population. English is a second language for 30 to 40 percent of Samaritan’s clients. Our team works closely with the local Mexican consulate and has built a solid reputation for compassionately and professionally serving families who wish to ship their loved ones’ remains back to their native countries. “No other funeral home in Phoenix does as many ‘ship outs’ as Samaritan,” said Venitria Curtis, lead funeral director. “Traditional burial remains the most popular choice for Hispanic families in our area, but that is slowly changing with many more Mexican American families choosing cremation. In the past, we would not even discuss cremation with a Hispanic family, but today that conversation has become much more acceptable. The trend began about eight years ago, but the COVID-19 pandemic played a big part in accelerating acceptance of cremation among these families.” Understanding New Vatican Guidance on Handling CremainsAlthough the Vatican forbade cremation for centuries, the Church amended its Code of Canon Law in 1963 to lift the ban on cremation with several caveats, including: ashes must be placed in a proper vessel in a “sacred” place and may not be scattered or divided among family members. Cremation has been gaining popularity in American Catholic communities ever since. The Vatican provided further instruction on the disposition of cremated remains in 2016 and, today, nearly one-third of American Catholic families opt for cremation. Additional guidance from the Vatican on handling cremated remains was issued in December 2023 in response to the increasing numbers of Catholics who want to scatter the ashes of their loved ones in nature. The Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith upheld the rule mandating that the ashes of the deceased be preserved in a consecrated place, but also said family members could request "a minimal part of the ashes" be kept in a sacred place of "significance for the history of the deceased person." The dicastery also said a parish or diocese could establish "a defined and permanent sacred place" where the cremains of multiple people would be commingled and preserved together. While the new instructions may seem like good news for many Catholics, the practical application of these rules are not crystal clear. Steve Trevino, a 45-year funeral service veteran, founder and current funeral director at Ponderosa Valley Funeral Services in Parker, Colorado, said this issue has caused many discussions with families over the years. “As active members of the local Roman Catholic community, my wife, Nanci, and I serve a large number of Catholic families and they have been requesting options for memorializing their cremated loved ones for a long time,” Steve said. “We don’t represent the Church, but we share the rules as we know them, and this issue has caused many families to walk away from those discussions very disappointed. Many have opted to disregard church rules. The bottom line for funeral professionals is that our obligation is to each family we serve and it’s their decision. We always advise families to seek the advice of their priests.” Steve and Nanci reached out to several local priests following the dissemination of the new guidelines and received feedback contrary to the popular interpretation of the new rules. This is an area that will require further clarification from the Vatican and one that funeral professionals in Catholic communities will be wise to monitor. Cultural and Religious Diversity are Here to StayThe shift in ethnicities and increasingly diverse funeral traditions across the United States will only accelerate in the years ahead. As funeral professionals, it’s our job to learn about and appreciate the different cultures and religions present in our communities. We need to make ourselves seen in these communities and let families know we are available and ready to serve them in keeping with their unique customs and rituals surrounding death and mourning. Do your research, build relationships and provide support to all segments of your changing community. Differentiating your funeral home by understanding and accommodating all types of funerals will help you remain a trusted service leader for years to come. This post excerpted from an article by Holly Escudero published in The Cremationist volume 60, issue 1 in January 2024. You can find part one on honoring Buddhist traditions here. Members can read the full article by logging in to the CANA website. Not a member yet? See the full benefits of membership and join today!
Each year in the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month is the time to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. From September 15 through October 15, this month encompasses many countries' independence celebrations as well as Día de la Raza, Día de los pueblos originarios y el diálogo intercultural, Día de las Américas, Pan American Day, or Indigenous Peoples' Day on October 12 (also recognized as Columbus Day).
As experts in service, expanding your cultural IQ not only helps you serve your whole community, but also helps them to know they can turn to you when in need. Take some time during Hispanic Heritage Month – and year-round – to learn something new about the people in your community. Winter Park, Florida-based Foundation Partners Group is one of the industry's most innovative providers of funeral services and the second-largest funeral home group in the country based on the number of families served. Foundation Partners owns and operates a network of over 250 funeral homes, cremation centers and cemeteries across 21 states. Our deep understanding of technology and customer experience-centered approach allows us to deliver truly innovative and compassionate care to the families we serve. Visit www.foundationpartners.com to learn more. |
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