Genealogy Chat

Can anyone tell me what year cremation started please. Much appreciated Yvonne

The idea of cremation is not new. Historians generally agree that it probably began in the early Stone Age,most likely in Europe and the Near East. Over the centuries its practice has dwindled and escalated; it has been condemned and praised; it has advanced from crude funeral pyres to modern scientific methods.The earliest conception of cremation arose out of people’s regard for the “sacred flame” and their belief in its great purifying power. Bodies were cremated to protect them from wild beasts, evil spirits, and mutilation by the enemy in war. It was a way to assure warmth and comfort for the deceased in future spiritual travels, and ameans of transporting the soul to Paradise. Cremation reassured primitive peoples who believed the dead could threaten the living. It enabled nomadic peoples to bring their ancestors’ remains with them in their migrations.Today, especially in areas of high population density, cremation is being readopted as the acceptable disposition of the dead. The sanitary aspect of cremation has been wisely stressed. While offering economy, italso inspires reverence, and there is beauty in the ensuing memorial.

I dont think cremation became legal in the UK until 1884?

http://www.srgw.demon(.)co.uk/CremSoc/History/HistSocy.html#1stcremation First Cremation Bill the Council of the Cremation Society fully appreciated that some form of official regulation was desirable, and accordingly on 30th April, 1884, Dr. Cameron (later Sir Charles Cameron), Member for Glasgow, introduced a Bill in the House of Commons to provide for the regulation of cremation and other means of disposal of the dead. The first cremation Meanwhile, on 26th March, 1885 the first official cremation at Woking took place. Mrs. Pickersgill, a well-known figure in literary and scientific circles, was the first of three cremations that year. Mr. Charles William Carpenter was cremated on 19th October and in December the third cremation, even though the body of a fourteen stone woman, was again successfully performed in only 11/2 hours. In 1886 ten bodies were cremated. During the year 1888, in which 28 cremations took place, the Council of the Cremation Society issued a special appeal to the public for funds to carry out a plan to provide a chapel, waiting rooms and other amenities at the Woking Crematorium. The subscription list was headed by the dukes of Bedford and Westminster, but the appeal realised a sum of only œ1,500, which was less than was required for the purpose. At this point the 9th Duke of Bedford stepped in, and through his munificence, it was possible, not only to complete the buildings, but to purchase further ground adjacent to the property. The buildings were constructed in the character of English thirteenth-century Gothic and were available for use at the beginning of January, 1891. The whole of the property constituted a freehold without encumbrance and was vested in the hands of trustees. In 1892 104 cremations were carried out at Woking and the Cremation Movement may at this stage be considered to have been successfully launched.

Hi Thanks for all the information it is very much appreciated. Im going to print it out, as it will come in useful along the way. Much appreciated and thanks again Best wishes Yvonne

Cremation became legal because of Dr Price - www.bbc*co*uk/wales/southeast/halloffame/historical_figures/william_price.shtml Dr William Price Radical figure who pioneered cremation Born: 1800 Died: 1893 Place of Birth: Rudry Famous For: Radical figure who pioneered cremation Biography: A 19th century eccentric whose main legacy was the cremation of his son, changing the future of funerals in Britain. Born in Rudry in 1800, Dr William Price was renowned for his radical views embracing vegetarianism, nudity, free love and unusual style of dress. He trained as a doctor in Caerphilly and London, and famously refused to treat patients who smoked. Dr Price, who proclaimed himself to be an archdruid, employed herbal remedies which weren't generally favoured by his contemporaries in the medical profession. But it was in Llantrisant, on the 18th January 1884, that the 83-year-old Dr Price truly made history. Believing burial to be damaging to the environment, he cremated the dead body of his five-month-old son, Iesu Grist Price (Jesus Christ Price). Cremation was illegal in Britain at the time, but Dr Price's success in the following court case prepared the way for the Cremation Act 1902. Before he died at the age of 92, he fathered another son and daughter with his companion Gwenllian Llywelyn. Dr Price died on 23rd January 1893, in Llantrisant. His body was cremated, as he had instructed, on top of two tons of coal. Moment of Glory: Winning the court battle over the cremation of his son.