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5
Cremation.
The number of cremations carried out at the City of London Crematorium during 1947 was
1,195 as compared with 1,011 in 1940 and 364 in 1937.
As Medical Referee for your Crematorium, I was invited to submit a memorandum of evidence
for the Inter-departmental Committee on the Cremation Act, 1902, and the Cremation Regulations
made thereunder, and to attend before the Committee to give verbal evidence. It was made clear
that my evidence was personal and based on some 12 years experience as a Medical Referee, and
that the Burial Board was in no way responsible for the views expressed.
In my opinion the time is approaching when cremation will be the usual, not the exceptional,
method of disposal of the dead and the public will quite reasonably demand that the formalities,
which must be complied with before cremation can take place, shall be reduced to a minimum.
The main purpose of the Cremation Regulations is the prevention of the rapid and final destruction
of the evidence of crime, but the comparison is not between a certainty of detection of crime if
the body has been interred and the impossibility of detection if cremation has taken place. Even
with earth burial, suspicion of foul play must first reach the ears of the police, then there must be
exhumation and an examination, which might fail to reveal the evidenco of a crime which had in fact
been committed. Much would depend on how the person had been killed, and the time which had
elapsed between burial and exhumation. It is certainly not practicable to require, as a routine, all
sorts of special enquiries before earth burial is permitted, and therefore the requirements antecedent
to cremation should be no stricter than is necessary to cover the difference in the risk that evidence
of crime may be destroyed.
A statutory declaration by the nearest surviving relative or an executor, made before a Commissioner
for Oaths, must frequently occasion distress and inconvenience or delay and is not a safeguard,
because if there had been foul play anybody who had been an accessory would hardly be worried
by the comparatively minor matter of a false declaration.
The careful and conscientious completion of the Confirmatory Medical Certificate may also
occasion distress, delay and expense, and is of little if any value, unless the medical attendant has
been too easily satisfied as to the cause of death or is himself a party to a crime.
The absolute integrity and the full sense of responsibility of the medical attendant who is called
upon to certify the cause of death are the only safe-guards, and it is therefore suggested that he should
be required to complete and sign a special certificate or, if he does not feel that he can do so, report
the circumstances to the coroner. The Registrar of Deaths would require to see the special certificate
as well as the death certificate, before signing his certificate for disposal by cremation.
Such a scheme would abolish the Statutory Declaration, the Confirmatory Medical Certificate
and the Medical Referee. It may seem a very drastic change but, having been responsible for the
authorisation of some thousands of cremations, I am satisfied that this proceduro would not be less
effective in the prevention of the concealment of crime than are the existing regulations, and though
this degree of simplification may not be achieved at once, it cannot be very long delayed.
Staff.
Your staff, which is still below pre-war strength, has worked very satisfactorily during the year,
and I have pleasure in recording the following examination successes:—
Miss B. N. Chandler, Tuberculosis Nurse and Assistant Health Visitor, obtained the Diploma
in Social Science of the London University.
Mr. H. J. Aldhous, Sanitary Inspector, passed Part 1 of the Final Examination for the
Degree of B.Sc. (Estate Management) of the London University.
I have to record with regret the retirement on account of ill-health of Miss S. A. Backhouse,
Tuberculosis Sister and Senior Health Visitor. Miss Backhouse was appointed Tuberculosis Nurse
at your Tuberculosis Clinic in June, 1920, but remained a member of the staff of St. Bartholomew's
Hospital till June, 1931, when she was appointed to your permanent staff, combining the duties of
Tuberculosis Sister and Health Visitor. Miss Backhouse gave devoted and most efficient service
despite the handicap of poor health. Many City mothers and children will remember her with affection,
and many tuberculous patients with gratitude. You have given practical expression to your appreciation
of her work by adding 10 years to her pensionable service. I am glad to record that Miss
Backhouse has made good progress, and though she cannot again be fit for her former duties, we wish
her many years of quiet but happy retirement.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
CHAS. F. WHITE,
Medical Officer of Health.