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The legal formalities to be observed before a cremation can take place are
extremely simple, while at the same time they have been so drawn up as to
thoroughly obviate any abuse or irregularity detrimental to the course of
justice in criminal cases.
With regard to the prejudice against cremation that undoubtedly exists,
much of it is based upon religious grounds. Many eminent divines, however,
have recorded their approval of cremation, notably the late Bishop of
Manchester, whose utterance—
"No intelligent Faith can suppose that any Christian Doctrine is
"affected by the manner in which this mortal body of ours crumbles into
"dust "
must appeal to the majority of thoughtful minds.
The medical and utilitarian point of views should also not be lost sight of,
and no one has better dealt with cremation from this aspect than Dr. Alfred
Hill, late Medical Officer of Health for Birmingham, who stated in "Public
Health" for October, 1902:—
That "No one after mature consideration can doubt that cremation is
"the most sanitary mode of disposal, and it is the most economical, for
"it would liberate thousands of acres of land for food production, for
"building, for parks, or other useful purposes, and from the decency and
"purity of the process it is the least revolting to the feelings of the
"loving and mourning survivors. It offends no system of theology, and
"it literally verifies the words of our burial service, 'Ashes to Ashes';
"it permits the possession or appropriate disposal of the remains, which
"are practically imperishable, in a suitable manner in urns which could
"be placed in crypt, cloister, church, chapel, columbarium, country
"churchyard, or private grounds without the slightest risk to the living.
"As old Sir Thomas Browne quaintly observes in his 'Hydriotaphia,'
"'He that hath the ashes of his friend hath an everlasting treasure.' It
"would allow of our dismal and neglected burial grounds being converted
"into beautiful and healthy gardens. It is no more expensive than
"ordinary burial, and is as free from social, scientific, and true sentimental
"objections as it is from religious ones."
These words are an admirable presentment of the essential facts relating to
cremation as compared with earth burial, and cannot be too widely made
known.
The several towns in the United Kingdom where Crematoria are erected
are shown in the accompanying Table, and the date of opening them indicated
in the first column.