The Encyclopedia of Cremation is the first major reference resource focused on cremation. Spanning many world cultures it documents regional histories, ideological movements and leading individuals that fostered cremation whilst also presenting cremation as a universal practice. Tracing ancient and classical cremation sites, historical and contemporary cremation processes and procedures of both scientific and legal kind, the encyclopedia also includes sections on specific cremation rituals, architecture, art and text. Features in the volume include: a general introduction and editorial introductions to sub-sections by Douglas Davies, an international specialist in death studies; appendices of world cremation statistics and a chronology of cremation; cross-referencing pathways through the entries via the index; individual entry bibliographies; and illustrations. This major international reference work is also an essential source book for students on the growing number of death-studies courses and wider studies in religion, anthropology or sociology.

Douglas J. Davies is Professor in the Study of Religion at Durham University, UK. Lewis Mates formerly Golders Green Research Assistant at Durham University, UK.

Illustrations, Abbreviations, Acknowledgements, List of Contributors, Introduction, A-Z Entries, Cremation Statistics, Chronology of Cremation, Cremation Society Archive Sources, Select Bibliography, Index