Cremation And Burial

While the forms of “burial” differ greatly, most people still are offered some sort of traditional burial ceremony that closely follows the above description. Even those who are to be cremated are still often given a viewing and a service before the cremation takes place, and then a special ceremony similar to an internment is conducted at a cemetery near the spot in which the ashes are to be buried or in which a permanent memorial is to be place.

Cremation dates back to the early Stone Age; it's still popular today and it's cheaper than traditional burial. In the United States, 32 percent of corpses are cremated. By 2025, the Cremation Association of North America estimates that number could rise to about 57 percent.

The word cremation comes from Latin “cremo”, meaning “to burn”—in particular to burn the dead. Temperatures in a crematorium range from about 1400-2100 degrees F. It became the most common method of disposing of bodies in ancient Greece and Rome, and was introduced to Western world by the Greeks as early as 1000 B.C. Greeks had first used it as a way of providing burial for soldiers—those slain in foreign lands were incinerated on the battlefield; their ashes were then gathered and sent home for funerals attended by family and fellow citizens. An Italian professor, Brunetti, developed the first modern cremation chamber in the 1870s. This invention started a movement toward cremation in Europe and North America.


The early Christian church initially rejected the practice because of its association with the Pagan societies of Greece and Rome. When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and the followers of other religions were exiled or exterminated, burial became the only method of disposing of bodies throughout Europe. Christianity didn’t expressly forbid cremation, but there was concern that cremation would prevent resurrection of the body.

Although cremation has now been done in America for about 125 years, it didn’t really take root here until about 25 years ago. Now about 1 in 4 Americans chooses cremation over traditional burial. Cremation gains favor as society becomes more secular. The trend is fueled by changes in not only religious thought, but also social values and even scientific knowledge. The practice has become common in Europe and Asia faster than in the U.S. It is now almost universal in Japan.

A "traditional burial" in the USA involves the internment of the deceased's body, usually in a deep grave at a cemetery or churchyard. This is the most common type of service. Burials today can be as varied as the personalities of the deceased. Some people are buried at sea; some, today, are buried “naturally”- without the use of a casket. Burial usually includes:
A viewing or visitation period for family and friends to pay their last respects. The casket may be open or closed according to your preferences.

A formal funeral service in a church, chapel or synagogue. The service may be contemporary or religious, and it may include readings, a eulogy, music, a funeral procession, and military honors.
A hearse to transport the deceased to a final resting place.
Earth burial, entombment or cremation.

Cemetery plots vary by location and city. An ocean view is going to cost much more than a plot in the middle of the cemetery. You also have to keep in mind that cremation plots or scattering gardens are generally cheaper than a casket plot.

Old Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery is Oceanside cemetery, founded in 1798, is the oldest cemetery in North County San Diego still in operation. The Mission is committed to taking care of the California cemetery as part of this National Historic Landmark. Immediate need or advanced planning, our experienced and caring staff is available to help you. Contact us for San Diego funeral services.