The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-02-20
ASH Es 70 ASH IFS.
A Contomporaueous View. (From the Urn.)


 (From the Urn)
 While it is claimed that the present is the age of progress, and the civilized world refers slightingly to the efforts of our ft'refathers, yet in the method of the disposal Of our dead we of the pres ent generation cling tenaciously to old fashions. This may be attributed to the fact, that before death strikes a family, little thought is given to the dreaded messenger; people avoid think ing of the matter. Death is inevitable, says Park and Cemetery, but in the opinion of most had better not be thought of, so when the time for sepa- ration arrives, attention is at once de- manded. We hate to see the forms of our dear ones taken away, though knowing it ntust be done, and quickly; it cannot be postponed, Grief prevents calm consid eration of the best method for the disposi Il of the remains; conse- quently we adopt those methods which have been in vogue for ages. With costly organizations we endeavor to pre- serve the body so that it will somewhat resemble that form which we remem- bered when living.
 But from the dust of the earth man ANN>''~S he again return. Do what we will this cannot be prevented; our puny efforts in this direction are fruitless. The most that can be done is to retard the process. Nothing can be more distress ing to the minds of the survivors than the knowledge that bodies of their dear ones, deposited in the earth despite all efforts to the contrary, are slowly but surely becoming masses of corruption. The dear sorms which are photographed in the minds eye will become so changed that if they could be brought to light they would make the strongest turn away in disgust. And even after lapse of years the sight of our bones will create shudder.
 Knowing of all this, would it not be better to calmly and philosophically consider the matter; and as from dust we come, is it not more reasonable, after we are done with upon this sphere, to be returned to our natural element, the dust, as quick as possible? And incineration is undoubtedly the quickest method.
 Cremation in civilized communities is upon the increase, and is likely to be- come more so, as people give their atten- ton to the subject. One thing which retards it's progress is the present cost pfincineration, but this will soon remedy itself, as the movement becomes more popular. Crematory and cemetery should be combined, and doubtless will be in the near future. Their combina- tion will allow smaller and more orna- mental burial grounds for ashes in the midst of populous centers, without men, acing the health of the living In the larger cities the question Of burial is even now matter of great expense and trouble Large tracts of land, al considerable distance from residential parts, will have to be dedicated fol cemetery purposes. The cost of reach ing these places, by railroad or other wise is bound to be considerable. The item of conveyance alone will exceed the cost of cremation and depositine the ashes nearer by. Then, for economic purposes, the crematory and cemetery should work together. All reforms come slowly, and it is a difficult matter tc get the public out of the rut. Wher the combination is consummated, small CT family burial lots will answer an6 may be used by succeeding generations for the disposal of the ashes, either b5 interment and become part of tht soil, or be scattered upon the surface That nature resumes Itself is most true All organic vegetable matter sooner ol later becomes part of the soil and re appears in some other form And i should be pleasant to know that tht ashes of the bodies of our departed friends can assist to make the face O nature beautiful. Most persons have preference for some particular tree O plant. Then, after incineration. let ou mortal ashes be so placed that they cal quickly be absorbed by our favorites and for time, at least, live again. T' the obiectors for such means of disposa interment can be made in small graves Columbaria will surely be built witt niches for thousands of urns, and thu accommodate those who wish to pre- serve the ashes.
 There is nothing repulsive in the mod e1n method of cremation. The body i taken away by the attendants from tn chapel or anteroom, and in shor time all that is left, contained in small receiver, is returned to the friend for final disposal. Coal, gas or oil per form the work very expeditiously. An when incineration becomes more popr lar electricity may be brought into us for even more rapid work.
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