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Germany.
The first Crematorium was opened at Gotha in December, 1878 ; a second
was established at Heidelberg in 1891 ; a third at Hamburg in 1892 ; and a
fourth at Jena in 1898, Other towns followed suit, and'.there are now
fourteen towns with Crematoria.
The total number of bodies incinerated in Germany from 1878 to the
middle of last year was 13,614.
Denmark.
The only Crematorium in this Country was established at Copenhagen in
1893, where 508 cremations have taken place up to the middle of last year.
Italy.
There are now no less than 28 Crematoria in Italy, the first being erected
at Mailand in 1876 ; a second was built at Cremona in 1881, and every year
other towns established similar appliances.
From 1876 until the middle of last year 6,513 bodies have been cremated
in this country.
France.
A Crematorium was established at Pere-la-Chaise, in Paris, 1889, and from
that date to 1906 inclusive, 4,204 cremations for private persons took place.
During the same period 82,758 hospital remains and unclaimed bodies, &c.,
were also dealt with.
Provincial Crematoria have also been established at Rouen, Lyons, Rheims
and Marseilles, but no figures are available. I am informed that the three
latter are used mainly as adjuncts to the local cemetery, and that when it is
full, the bodies of those who have, by agreement, been interred for a term of
years, are exhumed, and their remains cremated.
Russia.
Crematoria for St. Petersburg.—The President of the Sanitary Committee
has submitted his report to the St. Petersburg Town Council in favour of the
establishment of a crematorium in the town, to be used with due regard to the
interests of justice, and in fulfilment only of the testamentary instructions of
such deceased persons as may have decided to be cremated. ("Lancet," 28th
February, 1908.)