Cremation, in this country at least, is not popular. For a time, it
occupied here some public attention, but only in a sensational way;
and the sober discussion of the subject, which followed after its
novelty had worn off, led to the general opinion that, while every one
might be quite willing to see his dead neighbors cremated, no one
would acquiesce in the disposal of his friends and relatives in so
abnormal a manner. Hence, with the single exception of the late
revolting exhibition in Pennsylvania, which we alluded to at the time,
the dead in this country have continued to be deposited in their
hallowed resting places, and have not been packed away, in an
incinerated state, in labeled urns. In Europe, however, cremation
still finds many warm adherents; and during last summer a congress of
the "Friends of Cremation" (a society which, we are informed by
_Engineering_, whence we take the annexed engravings, has branches in
various parts of the world), was held in Dresden. Before this meeting,
a large number of designs for cremation and mortuary buildings were
brought in competition, and finally the prize was awarded to Mr. G.
Lilienthal, a Berlin architect, for the imposing structure illustrated
herewith.
This will be the grand temple of cremation when it is erected--a
proceeding to take place in the dim future: when or where not stated.
On each side of a central chapel there is a circular memorial hall;
and extending so as to inclose the garden of the establishment, on the
sides of the halls are wings containing a large number of niches for
the reception of funeral urns.
The cremation ceremony is proposed to be as follows: The body, having
been brought into the hall, is subjected to the usual medical
examination; or when an inquest is necessary, it is removed to offices
in another part of the building, where the required investigation can
be held. When all is ready, the body, placed on the platform, B, Fig.
2, is raised by a lift into the hall, A, where visitors are gathered,
and here the result of the medical examination is declared, and
whatever preliminary religious ceremonies that are desired are
performed. The body is then transported to the chapel, E, in front of
the pulpit, F, where the burial service is performed. The bier is
afterward lowered mechanically, and brought to the furnaces, which are
arranged in a semicircle and partitioned for the reception of several
biers. The ashes are subsequently placed in an urn, on which the
name, etc., of the deceased are recorded, and which is set up in a
suitable niche.
[Illustration: Fig. 1.--DESIGN FOR A CREMATION TEMPLE]
The building, which we illustrate both in elevation, Fig. 1, and in
plan, Fig. 2, is designed to contain 100,000 urns, and is adapted for
a town of 200,000 inhabitants. The architect has certainly exhibited
much taste in his design for the building, and has provided every
convenience in the internal arrangement for carrying on a large
business in the cremation line.
[Illustration: Fig. 2.--SECTION OF A CREMATION TEMPLE.]
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