Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
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Home / Cremation

Cremation

U.S. Cremation Rate

U.S. Cremation Rate

Cremation is a growing trend in the United States, as well as the broader world population. Cremation rates in Western Europe range from 35% in France to 88% in Switzerland. Canada is at 67%, Great Britain at 75% and Japan is over 99%. The United States, at 47%, is still below, but rapidly approaching, 50%. To give you an idea in the growth of this practice, in 1958 the cremation rate in the U.S. was 4%.

How has this growth in cremation affected the Jewish community, and in particular, how has it affected Cincinnati?

Orthodox and Conservative Judaism strongly oppose cremation and do not allow the burial of cremains in their cemeteries. Reform Judaism does not oppose cremation as vehemently as it once did. Reform rabbis generally believe that cremation is contrary to Jewish tradition, but that there is no clear cut prohibition in the halachic literature. Reform cemeteries allow the burial of cremains.

Despite these strong views either prohibiting or discouraging the use of cremation, there is evidence that it is growing amongst Jews in the United States. In Cincinnati, however, there is less evidence of growth.

There are no hard numbers on cremation amongst Jews in the United States. An article in the Forward in June 2012 stated that the numbers are still small, but Jewish funeral directors agree that the trend is up. It also varies widely based on geography, with the west coast having higher rates. Several of the funeral directors interviewed for the article stated that Jews not affiliated with a congregation are choosing cremation at a higher rate, and that independent Jewish cemeteries with no synagogue affiliation tend to see more cremations (and in some cases may be promoting them). The author of the article concluded that while cremation rates varied from city to city, they generally did not top 15%.

Cincinnati’s trends are similar to the national cremation Jewish trends in that the cremation rates are about 13% (range of 9 – 15%) over the most recent fifteen-year period, as measured by Weil Funeral Home statistics. When measured by JCGC statistics, which only include cremation burials in our cemeteries, the rate is about 7% (range of 5 – 12%) over the most recent eight-year period. Where Cincinnati differs from the national statistics is that our cremation rates, while they vary somewhat from year to year, do not show any kind of significant upward trend. So the only conclusion that can be drawn is that Cincinnati was probably ahead of the trend within the last ten years, but that is no longer the case. One could speculate that, because of the strong historical Reform presence, the practice of cremation had an earlier introduction to the Jewish community here.

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    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati

    5 days ago

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
    We had the great honor of hosting Roberto Mighty and crew this week in preparation for the second season of "The World's Greatest Cemeteries." Thank you to Jack Rabenstein and ALL community members who made this project happen! ... See MoreSee Less

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    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati

    2 weeks ago

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
    We can't wait to welcome American Public Television (APT) to our cemeteries next week as they film the second season of “World’s Greatest Cemeteries." We look forward to sharing the incredible history of the Chestnut Street Cemetery and highlighting the important contributions of those buried in our cemeteries. Learn more in this Cincinnati CityBeat article.#JewishCemeteries #JewishCincy200 ... See MoreSee Less

    Cincinnati’s Jewish Cemeteries to be Featured on American Public Television's 'World’s Greatest Cemeteries' Series

    www.citybeat.com

    American Public Television will be coming to the Queen City June 30 and taping will continue through July 1.
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    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati

    4 weeks ago

    Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
    We are thrilled to share that JCGC Board Member Marlene Ostrow was honored with the Mesel Wieder Mensch Award at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati Sustainers event on Wednesday. You might know Marlene as a dedicated volunteer who serves as the Chair of JCGC's Create Your Jewish Legacy Team, former Co-Chair of the Chestnut Street Committee, and as a member of the JCGC Executive Committee, Marketing Committee, and 200th Committee. This is all in addition to the volunteer work she does with many area organizations. Marlene is a “doer” who gets things done and leads by example. We are grateful to have her talents on the JCGC Board. Join us in giving Marlene a big “mazel tov!”The Mesel Wieder Mensch Award was established in 1999. The award recognizes a member of the Cincinnati Jewish Community who personifies the meaning of the Yiddish word “Mensch.” A mensch is someone who is sensitive and cares about other human beings and is concerned about and works for the Jewish community. They do this without fanfare or any expectation of public recognition.Pictured: Marlene Ostrow, JCGC Board Member, and David Harris, Executive Director of JCGC#JewishCemeteries ... See MoreSee Less

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Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati
3400 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
513-961-0178

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