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40
CREMATIONS.
The number of Cremations at the Corporation Cemetery at Ilford during the year
was 21, as compared with 32 in 1912. It will be seen from the Table on page 41 that
a decrease in numbers is reported from four other Crematoria ; these decreases, however,
are slight and the aggregate of all Cremations at the Crematoria tabulated shows a
total increase of over 10 per cent.
A lthough cremations increase in number each year the increase is slower than one
would have expected, and it is interesting to compare progress with that made in other
countries. In Germany* the number of Cremations carried out in 1912 was 8,858, and
since the opening of the first Crematorium at Gotha in 1879 to December 31st, 1912,
the total number has been 46,387.
In Switzerland the total for 1912 was 1,587, which brings up the aggregate to
9,332 since 1889.
In the United States, the latest available figures show that 7,250 Cremations were
carried out in 1912, bringing the total up to 65,000 since 1876.
The modern revival of Cremation began in Italy, and what progress has been made
in this country is greatly due to the efforts of the Cremation Society which was founded
by Sir Henry Thompson in 1874. Considerable prejudice existed, and still exists against
this method of disposal of the dead, but the example of numerous men and women of
distinction who have left directions that they should be cremated after death is doing
much to establish the position of Cremation as being the most sanitary and satisfactory
means of disposal of the dead.
Apart from sentiment, perhaps the most practical objection is the slight increase
in trouble which is incurred by the necessary formalities which must be observed before
a cremation can take place. These very formalities, which in the main are directed
towards ensuring that death from natural causes has taken place, and which are not
compulsory in the case of ordinary burials, provide additional safeguards against foul
play, and what to some people is a real fear—premature burial, and rather than suggest
any material relaxation of these safeguards with a view to helping forward the
cremation movement, I would advocate an improvement in the methods of death
certification and registration in general.
Cremation is not more costly than ordinary burials, it can be conducted with the
same regard to religious observances, and it provides a means which would enable
burial inside churches to be again reverted to. Other advantages to the community
could be enumerated and doubtless cremations will continue to increase, but the
increase would be more rapid if those who favour this method of disposal of the dead
would leave written instructions that they are to be cremated after death.
The Crematorium of the City Corporation is at Ilford, Essex, in the grounds
of the City of London Cemetery. The foundation stone was laid on October 14th,
1903, by Mr. R. W. Edwards, the then Chairman of the Sanitary Committee. The
cost was £7,536. It may, perhaps, be of interest to record thi fact, that the cost of a
Cremation at Ilford is only 21. 15s. 6d.
* Transactions of the Cremation Society of England, 1913.