PROGRESS OF CREMATION IN ENGLAND.

Inangahua Times, Volume XI, Issue 1764, 1 October 1886, Page 2

PROGRESS OF CREMATION IN ENGLAND.

The Cremation Society of England have issued a statement, in which they say : — The Council of the Cremation Society beg to congratulate its friends on the steady progress which the sooiety is making in this couutry. Ten years ago the possibility of practising cremation here was scarcely entertained. The subject was then nothing more than interesting matter for speculation — a dream of the sanitarian and the chemist ; perhaps to he realised at some distant period. Five years ago the practice was supposed to require additional sanction from the law, and probably to envolve any per* son concerned with it in liability to heavy penalties. It is only now two years since the society undertook the first cremation of a human Iwiy, being satisfied that the legal difficulties had been removed The process was well accomplished, and there could be no doitU that, with a little modification, the operation might he rendered per* feet. Since that time five other bodies — in all six — have been cremated, and it is, perhaps, scarcely possible to accomplish the act with better result* than have been lately achieved. As now performed, there is no sign of anything which can offend the senses, aud everything is conducted in private, with propriety and decorum. Complete guarantees are taken that the person to be cremated has died from natural causes, Finally, it is with much satisfaction that the Council is able to report on the increasing favour with which cremation is regarded in various parts of the Continent. Important communication* have been received from foreign societies in relation to this matter.