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94
SANITARY LEGISLATION, 1902.
The Cremation Act, 1902 (2 Edward VII., c. 8).
"This Statute, which was introduced into the House of Lords by
Lord Monkswell, provides for the first time by public enactment
regulations for the burning of human remains. It also enables
burial authorities to provide crematoria, in the same manner as they
are enabled to provide cemeteries. Hitherto the practice of
cremation, which gradually becoming less rare, has been subject
only to the rules of the common Law, and crematoria (such as that
near Woking) have been provided only by private bodies. Whatever
penalties or liabilities may be incurred in connection with an
improper cremation are specially reserved by the present Statute
(Sect. 8)."
This Act enacts that no crematorium shall be constructed nearer
than 200 yards to any dwelling house, except by consent in writing
of the owner, lessee and occupier of such house, nor within 50 yards
of any public highway, nor in the consecrated part of the burial
groutid of any burial authority.
The regulations as to the maintenance and inspection of the
crematoria and all details as to the burning of the body, the disposal
of the ashes and a variety of details shall be made by the Secretary
of State.
I am, Sir and Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant,
FREDERICK WILLIAM ALEXANDER,
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and Licentiate of the
Royal College of Physicians of Edinb urgh ;
Diplomate in Public Health, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons,
England ;
Fellow and Member of the Council of the Royal Institute of Public Health ;
Member of the Jenner Institute of Preventive Medicine ;
Medical Officer of Health.
Metropolitan Borough of Poplar,
Public Health Offices, Bow Road, E.,
Corner of Fairfield Road, May, 1903.