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41
The Registrar and Superintendent of the Bradford Corporation Crematorium
remarks:—
" With regard to the question of cremation not becoming so popular as
" was anticipated a few years ago, I find that opposition to it is
" becoming rare, but it is giving place to a cause which may be even
" worse than active opposition, i.e., indifference. This appears to me to
" be the main reason why cremation is not taken up. 1 hear many
" people say ' Yes, cremation is no doubt a good thing and the best way
" ' of disposing of the dead from a sanitary point of view, but I don't
•' ' care, they can do as they like when I am gone.'
" It is far worse to argue or try to make people understand that they
" are neglecting their duty when in this frame of mind, than if they were
" opposed to cremation.
" From the experience I have had lately, I feel this is the cause why
" cremation is not becoming as popular as one would wish, and it will
" take more breaking down than the opposition of a few years ago."
The Clerk of the Headingly-cum-Burley (Leeds) Burial Board considers
that public sentiment is still against this method of disposal of the dead.
The Honorary Secretary of the Birmingham Crematorium writes :—
" With reference to the progress of cremation, we find in Birmingham
" that there are various reasons why cremation does not make such
" rapid strides as is expected. In the first instance there are still large
" numbers of people who are not aware of the advantages of cremation,
" and I am therefore proposing shortly to prepare and deliver here a
" lecture on the subject, illustrated with lantern slides. In the second
" place I find that undertakers are strongly against cremation on account
" of the reduction of their profit if they undertake one. . . .
" Another factor which is against the advance of cremation is the
" tremendous amount of red 'tape' with regard to the filling of the
“ necessary forms. We find that relatives are very much against having
" to give so many details at a time when they are distressed. There is
" again, of course, the great sentimental objection which, until it is
" removed, will always be a great drawback to cremation."
With regard to the formalities required under the Cremation Act, referred to
by the Manager of the Liverpool Crematorium, and the reference made to " red
tape " by the Honorary Secretary of the Birmingham Crematorium, I can
only repeat the views I have already expressed on this point, viz.* :—
" It has been said that the retention of these regulations tends in a
" great measure to retard the spread of cremation, but I am quite unable
" to endorse this opinion.
" Opponents of cremation would be only too ready to make adverse
" use of any attempts to relax the present regulations which, very
" properly, have been made exceedingly stringent, and it would certainly
" be most unwise to lend any countenance to the suggested alteration."
* Annual Report, Medical Officer of Health for the City of London, 1907.