Purpose of a Pyre in Ancient Greek Myth?

Question

I am trying to find information on Greek Burial Rights and specifically the purpose in cremating a body by using a Pyre.

I know what a Pyre is, but I wonder what the significance is in the cremation to them?

Thanks!

Answer 1

As with many other ancient civilization, the Greeks believed that the spirit (soul) of a person was not fully released until the body was fully consumed. The quickest way of doing that was cremation. This practice was stopped when the Romans conquered Greece, since their burial beliefs were different.