Increase of Cremation in Germany.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 52, 31 May 1884, Page 5

Increase of Cremation in Germany.

The practice of oremation appear to be gradually gaining ground in Germany, there being a steady increase in the number of bodies brought for this purpose to Gotha, which contains the sole establishment in the empire. It is under the control of the city authorities, and the cremations up to the end of 1882 were 84, viz., 17 in 1879, 16 in 1880, 33 in 1881, and 18 up to September 1882. All parts of Europe contribute to the business of the institution, while several bodies have been brought thither from America, in which country the cost of fashionable interment is so groat that it is but a slightly increasod expense to have the remains cremated at Gotha. The principal itoms of this expense are: The removal of the corpse from the railway station to the cemetery, 30s ; and the cremation itself, £7 10s. There are several formalities to be observed before pormission is given by the officials. A permit has to be obtained from the municipal authorities where the death took place, and also from Gotha, that the body may be removed from one place to another, for without this latter the railway company would refuse to find conveyance. A corpse is not allowed to be moved unless encased in metal, and zinc is therefore prescribed, as readily melting under the action of the heat. This must be enclosed in a wooden coffin of certain dimensions so that it may fit the receptacle in the chamber. In case a funeral service should barequested, a further charge of £1 10s is made. The Gotha establishment, which was erected in 1878, is very complete, and cost for the machinery and buildings nearly £5,000. The apparatus is made after the Italian model, and consiets of a large coal furnace for the production of the gas, which is conducted by a pipe to the heating chamber in which the body is placed, this chamber being 21 feet in length by 13 feet in height, and divided into two parts. The gas is first of all let into the nearest section, where it burns until a white heat is produced. At the time of the operation the body is lowered into the second compartment, and the gas admitted from the other one, when the zinc case rapidly melts, the garments being then consumed, and the whole process occupying about two hours. As it takes a day and night to properly heat the furnace, sufficient notico has to be sent to the authorities. — From the " London Times, "Jan. 4.