Cremation Collection

Goddess Kali
The Goddess Kali, the malevolent aspect of Shivas wife Parvati. she wears a necklace of 50 human skulls & frequents cremation grounds

Pottery cremation urn, from a grave at Loveden Hill, Lincolnshire, Anglo-Saxon, 6th-7th century
Pottery cremation urn, from a cremation grave in a cemetery at Loveden Hill, Lincolnshire, Anglo-Saxon, 6th-7th century. The urn is decorated with deeply incised chevrons which are filled with

Cremation: furnace of the type to be installed in the Pere la Chaise crematorium, Paris, France
530645 Cremation: furnace of the type to be installed in the Pere la Chaise crematorium, Paris, France. Illustration published in 1888 while the building was under construction

Cremation taking place at the Cremation Society of England, St John's, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey. Engraving, 1889
530644 Cremation taking place at the Cremation Society of England, St John's, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey. Engraving, 1889.; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Cut-away view of Garini's cremation furnace used in Milan. Wood engraving, Paris, 1880
530790 Cut-away view of Garini's cremation furnace used in Milan. Wood engraving, Paris, 1880.; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Cremation of the dead in Calcutta, India. Wood engraving, London, 1882
530788 Cremation of the dead in Calcutta, India. Wood engraving, London, 1882.; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Cremation: Sectional view of furnace of the type to be installed in the Pere la Chaise crematorium, Paris, France
530646 Cremation: Sectional view of furnace of the type to be installed in the Pere la Chaise crematorium, Paris, France. Illustration published in 1888 while the building was under construction

Henry Thompson (1820-1904) cartoon by 'Ape' (Carlo Pellegrini), Vanity Fair, London, 1 August 1874
530725 Henry Thompson (1820-1904) cartoon by 'Ape' (Carlo Pellegrini), Vanity Fair, London, 1 August 1874. British surgeon (Lithotomy) treated Leopold I and Napoleon III

Plan and section of Tumulus at Tregascal
3732362 Plan and section of Tumulus at Tregascal; (add.info.: Plan and section of Tumulus at Tregascal with Sepulchral Urn. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Ghaut at Benares, 1876. Creator: Unknown
Ghaut at Benares, 1876. The sacred city of Benares, considered by the Hindoos as the head-quarters of their religion and science

Benares, The Burning Gháts, Late 1860s. Creator: Samuel Bourne
Benares, The Burning Ghats, Late 1860s

Benares, The Burning Gháts, Late 1860s. Creator: Samuel Bourne
Benares, The Burning Ghats, Late 1860s

The Roman Colchester Vase
The Colchester Vase, which contains a cremation. On it are depicted two gladiators: on the left is a Secutor, in full armour

The Goddess Bhairavi Devi with Shiva, ca. 1630-35. Creator: Attributed to Payag
The Goddess Bhairavi Devi with Shiva, ca. 1630-35

Cremation Urns for sale outside St Nicholas Cathedral, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Dead person waiting to be cremated Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, Nepal

Corpses waiting to be cremated Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, Nepal

India - Benares preparing bodies for cremation early 1900s

19th Century Albert Keller Capitalism Capitalist
19th, century, Albert, Keller, capitalism, capitalist, ceremony, colored, cremation, crematorium, crematory, death, engraving, fire, hat, high, society, incinerate, incineration, italian, Italy, men

Cremating bodies at the waterside, India. Date: circa 1890s

Wood for cremations, Benares (Varanasi), India
Wood piled up in preparation for cremations at Benares (Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh, India. Date: circa 1890s

Hindu Burning Ghat - Nimtala, Kolkata
The Hindu Burning Ghat (site of cremations) - Nimtala, Kolkata Date: circa 1910s

KAFFIR CREMATION
Cremation ceremony of the Hottentots and Kaffirs, southern Africa. Date: 1836

Cremation Calcutta Death Regional India 1859
cremation, calcutta, death, regional, india, 1859, dead, indians, cremated, birds, wait, pick, left, overs, history, historical, 10061812

JAPANESE CREMATION
A corpse is cremated while family and friends look on Date: circa 1860

Cremation of the bodies of dead Dahomeans, Dahomey (colour litho)
2818348 Cremation of the bodies of dead Dahomeans, Dahomey (colour litho) by Meyer, Henri (1841-99) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cremation of the bodies of dead Dahomeans, Dahomey)

Magician pointing out a burning head to two youths, from the Scherzi, ca. 1743-50

India - women preparing a corpse for cremation, Calcutta
Vintage 19th century photograph, India - women preparing a corpse for cremation, Burning Ghat, Calcutta

c. 1880s India - burning ghat Ganges at Benares Varanasi
c.1880s India - burning ghat for cremation dead bodies on the Ganges at Benares Varanasi

Free-blown glass jar, containing bones and ashes, Roman, c. 50-150 AD (glass)
TFM63482 Free-blown glass jar, containing bones and ashes, Roman, c.50-150 AD (glass) by Roman; height: 19 cm; Freud Museum, London, UK; eFreud Museum, London; out of copyright

The Eight Witnesses of Shelleys Cremation (b / w photo)
5992366 The Eight Witnesses of Shelleys Cremation (b/w photo) by European Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Eight Witnesses of Shelleys Cremation)

Gold-painted fabric for royalty (textile)
LIT389613 Gold-painted fabric for royalty (textile) by Thai School; (add.info.: used especially for cremations; 180-200 years old; ); Photo eLuca Tettoni; Thai, out of copyright

Benares, India, burning Ghat, cremation by the Ganges
Benares, India burning Ghat, cremation by the River Ganges. circa 1910

Ceylan, La Cremation Dans L Inde (colour photo)
2817415 Ceylan, La Cremation Dans L Inde (colour photo) by European Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ceylan, La Cremation Dans L Inde)

La fin du paria (engraving)
2790085 La fin du paria (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: La fin du paria. Illustration for Le Tour Du Monde (Hachette, 1868)

Villovan cinerary urn in the shape of a hut (bronze)
ANC371413 Villovan cinerary urn in the shape of a hut (bronze) by Etruscan; Museo Nazionale Etrusco, Villa Giulia, Rome, Lazio, Italy; eMike Andrews; out of copyright

Punch cartoon: Cremation (engraving)
6034825 Punch cartoon: Cremation (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: Cremation)

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"Cremation: A Sacred Ritual Embracing Life's Eternal Cycle" Cremation, a timeless practice steeped in rich cultural traditions, holds profound significance across the globe. From the ancient rituals of Goddess Kali to modern-day ceremonies on the banks of Bagmati River during Shivaratri festival, cremation serves as a poignant reminder of life's impermanence and the eternal cycle of existence. Delving into history, we find remnants of Anglo-Saxon culture with a pottery cremation urn discovered at Loveden Hill in Lincolnshire from the 6th-7th century. This artifact stands as a testament to how cremation has transcended time and continues to shape our understanding of mortality. Venturing into early 1900s India, we witness captivating scenes from Benares (Varanasi), where bodies were meticulously prepared for their final journey through fire. The burning ghats stood witness to countless souls departing this earthly realm amidst an atmosphere charged with spirituality and reverence. Intriguingly, even capitalism found its place within this age-old tradition. Albert Keller's 19th-century depiction highlights how economic forces intertwined with Hindu customs as wood was procured for cremations in Benares (Varanasi). This juxtaposition reminds us that even in death, societal dynamics play their part. From Nimtala Kolkata's Hindu Burning Ghat to the sacred shores of Ganges river in Benares - these locations bear witness to countless souls bidding farewell through flames. The waterside becomes both sanctuary and purifier; it is here that loved ones find solace knowing their departed will be embraced by nature’s embrace once more. Yet beyond geographical boundaries lie other cultures embracing this transformative ritual. Kaffir Cremation showcases African traditions while Romany Funeral Pyre unveils unique practices within gypsy communities – both honoring lives lived and celebrating spirits released.