In the Mycenaean Age, 1000 B.C., the Grecians used cremation as a normal burial custom. In 800 B.C., during the time of Homer, cremation was used for immediate burial. The country was ravaged with battle and needed to dispose of their slain warriors.

The early Romans started using cremation following the Grecians, around 600 B.C. An official decree had to be made in the mid 5th century, because cremation became so popular. In 27 B.C. to 395 A.D. During the time of the Roman Empire, cremation became widely accepted. The ashes were stored in very elaborate urns and kept within columbarium like buildings. By 400 A.D.earth burials had taken the place of cremation. This was the result of Constantine's Christianization of the Empire. Rare exceptions were made, due to plague or war. For the next 1500 years, below ground burials became the norm, all across Europe...