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47
With regard to the establishment of Crematoria in India, it is interesting to
note that so long ago as March, 1874, Major Martin, of the 4th King's Own
Regiment, issued from the Regimental Press at Poona, a "Specification of a
Cinerator for the use of Brahmins and other Hindoo castes who perform their
funeral rites by burning."
Major Martin, in introducing the subject, remarks :—
"Burning the dead having been from time immemorial a funeral rite
"practised by certain castes in India, and one which it would not, from
"its peculiar adaptation to the climate, be wise to endeavour to abolish ;
"it becomes us to consider how the custom can be modified so as not to
"prove a nuisance and cause of nuisance."
"It is really time that measures were taken to remove from our sight
"the disgusting scenes forced upon us in our daily walks, and to prevent
"our health and that of the natives themselves being affected by the
"pernicious vapours emanating from diseased bodies undergoing the
"process of calcination."
A full description and illustration of the proposed "Cinerator" is given, and
this little book forms an interesting link in the bibliography relating to
modern cremation.
In view of the importance in the interests of the public health of encouraging
the adoption of cremation, it would seem desirable that the question of
reducing the cost of cremation at the City of London Cemetery should be
considered.
At the present time, the charge for cremation at the City of London
Cemetery is £4 4s., this fee including Clergy fee in respect of a burial service,
before, at, or after cremation, the .provision of a plain urn for the ashes, storage
of the latter for three months, and at the expiration of this period, its burial in
a plot of ground specially reserved for this purpose.