During the modern era, the Meiji Government issued an ordinance that prohibited cremation in 1873 in relation with the Ordinance Distinguishing Shinto and Buddhism, which was formulated with the purpose of national unity.
近代に入ると、明治政府は明治6年に神道による挙国一致を目指した神仏分離令に関連して火葬禁止令を布告した。