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extremely interesting. In 1874 sixteen pioneers formed the Cremation Society of
England and four years later built the Woking Crematorium. The first cremation,
however, took place at a private crematorium in Dorset in 1883. In 1884 a Welsh
doctor cremated his son by a crude method on the top of a Welsh hill. He was
arrested and tried at Cardiff Assizes but was acquitted, the judge holding that
cremation was legal if carried out without nuisance to others. In 1885 the Cremation
Society permitted cremation at Woking and from that time cremation has steadily
grown in this country. There are now 24 crematoria, 14 of which belong to municipalities.
In the period 1885-1932, 64,467 cremations have taken place. The number
last year was 6,315; five years ago it was 3,265; ten years ago, 2,009, and fifteen
years ago 1,509. From these figures it is evident that the movement in favour of
cremation is steadily advancing in this country.
A cremation is conducted with all the solemnity and reverence with which earth
burial is associated. It takes place, however, under cover. Instead of the committal
to the open grave, the coffin, at the appropriate part of the service, moves quietly on
rollers through doors (which open and close noiselessly) while the service proceeds.
In a little over an hour cremation has accomplished what earth burial takes years to
do. The ashes may be placed in an urn and disposed of by burial, by depositing in
the appropriate part of the crematorium—the columbarium—or taken away for
disposal elsewhere. In all the English crematoria there is, however, a Garden of Rest
where the ashes may be scattered—a practice which is growing in favour.
Cremation is controlled by regulations made by the Home Secretary under the
Cremation Act. Application must be made by the nearest relative or by an executor,
who has to make a statutory declaration, and two medical certificates as to death have
to be completed by independent medical practitioners. The written authority of the
medical referee appointed by the Cremation Authority to the cremation has then to
be obtained. These precautions provide a much more effective safeguard against
secret crime than earth burial.
Cremation is easily arranged for; it is not expensive; it prejudices in no way
public health, and it avoids the necessity of purchasing expensive sites for cemeteries.
In the woodlands of this new cemetery site at Eltham it will be possible to
arrange for the disposal of the dead in a manner—solemn, reverent, aesthetic and
hygienic—amidst surroundings which will appeal to every hallowed sentiment of our
race.
In 1931 a Health Centre at Eltham was opened in which provision was made,
not only for Maternity and Child Welfare services but also for the School
Medical Treatment services, thus ensuring definite co-ordination between these
two services. This scheme received the whole-hearted approval of the Ministry
and of the County Council. At the end of the year, when it was found necessary to
consider plans for the enlargement of Plumstead Welfare Centre owing to the great
increase in the amount of work done there, consideration was being given to the