The Development of Cremation: 1914–1939
摘要
The First World War effected changes in many spheres, including in attitudes to death and bereavement, the privatisation of mourning and the decline of belief in bodily resurrection. The Cremation Society engaged in more vigorous campaigning, helping to establish the Federation of Cremation Authorities (1924). It published a quarterly journal Pharos, and began cremation insurance schemes for the working classes. Local authorities, seeking land for house-building, began to consider the budget economies of cremation. This led to an increase in crematoria provision during the 1930s. The Cremation Society adopted the slogan ‘Save the land for the living’. Funeral directors became increasingly supportive. The International Cremation Federation (founded 1936) deliberately sought Roman Catholic support. Anglican clergy conducted more cremation services. Crematoria doubled in numbers between 1935 and 1939, Mortlake Crematorium (1939) becoming the first joint-authority crematorium. Society became more aware of funeral costs and class differences in funeral behaviour. The Second World War precipitated even greater changes in British funeral practice.