Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-08-24
A Word About Cremation

The idea Of cremation has ceased 10 be
secuted as ridiculous Cremation societies
exist IN nearly every state in the union, and
their number Is on the increase. Compared
with the present system OF burial, cremation
IS classic, clean and certain. 1t divests the
mind OF the thought OF that most horrible OF
| posslbiltics-bt7g buried dltys. II does away
( with the mockery and pomp OF funerals. II
,ommends itself from a sanitary point Of
flew as the best method OF disposing Of the
remains Of the dead, and especially of the
remains OF those who die from infect ious
/ diseases
Were cremation universally adopted there
would be no need Of those mang cemeteries
ocated so close t. cities as 10 be unhealthful
nulssnces. Instances defving enumeration
are at hand showing that small cemeteries
nnwisely situated IN the very heart OF cities
have been known 10 communicate disease.
Now and then we hear OF the contents OF
these cemeteries being removed to a safe dis
lance outside the city limits and such
changes whether due 10 the encroachments
Of business enterprise or OF public sentiment,
are good ones In perhaps fOur-ltths of the
village. In the United States the cemeteries
arc In the rear or by the side OF the churches
the latter generally fronting on the main
street Aside from the melancholy picture
village cemeteries present, even 10 the most
ievout worshipers, their situation violates
the simplest principles OF hygiene.
Doubtless those who W II be the last 70 al
NIT tbs advantages OF cremation are the un-
icrtakers. IL must be conceded that the
opposition TO 1t Of these "purveyors to the
dead" 10 a strong one, and. moreover, they
have at their tongues end several sentime n
al arguments In favor OF the long establish
Is he'd custom OF burial-arguments which are
also advanced by no small number of people
who nuiprtakprs On the other haul
sentiment NAV be drawn upon largely IN de.
fence Of cremation. IL, however. will never
be universally adopted until the prejudiccs
against II are removed. What are these
preiudlcest Among other things IL Is sid
that cremation is cruel and barbarous Many
protest that thev cannot bear the thought o.
having their bod es reduce 10y fire TO a few
ounces Of ashes They prefer a grave and n
ilthv processes OF decay. IL heapcd up
mound, with a monument bearing "a prevar-
eating Inscription any assistance 10 ones
memory for the loved and lOsti l. not re-
spect for the dead better shown by prevent.
ing the body from being coming dccOmp1sed
food for eyele.s worms,
To the poorer classes cremation espec 'allv
appeals, because u is more economical aud
less formal than burial. II wOaid be well Tor
each State TO try the experiment OF cretnating
It's dead paupers instead Of continuing To en-
large its Pottcr's fields Certainly cremation
practiced under Governmental auspices ia
this wav would demonstrate IL pra cticsl SUI.
percrlty. The more the subj .ct - rendered
the deeper must grow the conviction tina
cremation Is the most rat Oual and ELI cicut
means OF modifying the grim aud ghasuy
victory Of death.
Gravc-yarls, and the manner IN VIII ch oar
boosted Civilization buries its deal, are re
sponsible for most of the superstitio1s OF
mankind Jegarimg spCoEs, gphlins aud the
whole retiuue Of supernatural sbnormities
The rafting skcietpn, exhuiu-l after years
OF reposc in the gravr, sets as,ir the dreadful
fancics cf the least susceptible witness
VERY few people, ! imagine, could he pr
suaded - walk through cemetery aoue on
dark night | don't think | shout care t.;
not that / vbg Il be afraid ~ rucpunterlus a
convention NJ ruosis-bHt thr idea II bclu
the orr lv NJ inrl IN the mitst of hundred
oil dead mrn. v,Bnsn snd ca l'ir-n vouli b
too dep~essini 10 justify the Undertaking. o.
L. IL, m Ep,ct