London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Chelsea 1961
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1961
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15
CREMATION SERVICE
In October, 1957? an agreement was entered into with the General
Cemetery Company whereby cremation facilities became available at West
London Crematorium, Kensal Green, for persons who, at the time of death,
resided or were normally resident in the Borough of Chelsea. A reduced
standard charge of four guineas applies in such cases and during 1961
arrangements for cremation were made in respect of thirty-one persons.
The total number of cremations recorded in Great Britain last year
was 224, 464, compared with 204,034 in i960, an increase of 20,4300 The
total for 1961 represented 36.45$ of the recorded deaths, compared with
34.71$ for the preceding year.
The following table illustrates the progress of cremation in Great Britain over the past twenty years:-
| Year | No. of Crematoria | No. of Cremations | Percentage of total Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | 57 | 28,518 | 5.23 |
| 1943 | 58 | 34,259 | 6.03 |
| 1944 | 58 | 39,016 | 7.00 |
| 1945 | 58 | 42,963 | 7.80 |
| 1946 | 58 | 50,160 | 8.90 |
| 1947 | 58 | 61,160 | 10.47 |
| 1948 | 58 | 64,290 | 12.10 |
| 1949 | 58 | 79,607 | 13.86 |
| 1950 | 58 | 89,557 | 15.63 |
| 1951 | 59 | 107,161 | 17.43 |
| 1952 | 63 | 107,699 | 19.27 |
| 1953 | 68 | 116,728 | 20.76 |
| 1954 | 74 | 125,521 | 22.29 |
| 1955 | 82 | 141,353 | 24.37 |
| 1956 | 99 | 153,238 | 26.27 |
| 1957 | 108 | 163,358 | 28.36 |
| 1958 | 120 | 180,075 | 30.58 |
| 1959 | 131 | 190,819 | 32.30 |
| 1960 | 148 | 204,034 | 34.71 |
| 1961 | 160 | 224,464 | 36.45 |