First cremation in the United States at LeMoyne's crematory

Background. Francis Julius LeMoyne, a 19th-century American medical doctor and philanthropist from Washington, Pennsylvania, set out to build the first crematory in the United States. He did so after hearing about cremation's use in Europe, where the first modern crematorium in the Western World had opened in Milan in 1876.

Construction. The crematory was finished in 1876 on LeMoyne's own land, situated atop a location locally known as Gallow's Hill in North Franklin Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. This structure became the first modern crematory in the United States, reflecting LeMoyne's initiative to introduce cremation technology to the country.

First Cremation. The first cremation in the United States took place on December 6, 1876, at LeMoyne's newly completed facility. This event marked the beginning of cremation practices in the U.S., distinct from earlier European developments. The crematory continued to operate until 1901, performing a total of 42 cremations during its active period.