Cremation first gained widespread acceptance and practice in which ancient civilization?

The practice of cremation first gained widespread acceptance in Ancient Greece, particularly during the classical period. The Greeks valued cremation for its association with purification and the belief that it allowed the deceased's spirit to transition to the afterlife more effectively. They often held elaborate funeral ceremonies that included the cremation of the body on a pyre, followed by the collection of the ashes, which were then placed in urns. This practice contrasted with the burial methods that were more common in other ancient civilizations, such as Ancient Egypt, where mummification and burial in tombs were prevalent due to the strong belief in an afterlife and the preservation of the body.

While Ancient Rome later adopted cremation as a popular funerary practice as well, it is essential to recognize that it was initially the Greeks who pioneered and expanded the ritual's significance in their cultural context, making it a key part of their funerary customs.