Purified by Fire: A History of Cremation in America

by Stephen Prothero

Book Overview

Just one hundred years ago, Americans almost universally condemned cremation. Today, nearly one-quarter of Americans choose to be cremated. The practice has gained wide acceptance as a funeral rite, in both our private and public lives, as the cremations of icons such as John Lennon and John F. Kennedy Jr. show. Purified by Fire tells the fascinating story of cremation's rise from notoriety to legitimacy and takes a provocative new look at...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520236882
• ISBN13: 9780520236882
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.4" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

An enlightening delve into the history of Cremation

As a funeral director, and for me personally, cremation is a fascinating subject.Stephen Prothero's book, "Purified by Fire," takes an interesting and enlightening look at one of the oldest methods of "disposition" in the world. It also explains the origins of the rite of cremation in America in an easily understood language, and removes the "shroud" of mystery of the cremation of the dead.A fantastic read for any who wonder about death rites - and any who actually wonder about any type of history in the United States. Prothero has gone the extra mile in gathering information for the reader. He takes the door off the columbarium and crematorium and allows us to take a look inside. He gives us the background: that cremation was brought to the United States by those who were concerned about disease in the dead; then gives us a glimpse into the future: that cremation is gaining popularity, even by those in the major religious denominations.From "Birth" to "Boom", Prothero unleashes his magic of writing and works it into a magnificent MUST READ that I refer to as "The Cremationist's Bible".