CHURCH AND CREMATION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11768, 15 October 1932, Page 5

CHURCH AND CREMATION

RIVAL LEADERS' VIEWS. SYDNEY, October 5. The Roman Church is opposed, on the major ground of decency for the dead, to the Government’s proposal to increase tlio iaciiities for cremation. Other denominations. however, do not hold the same view. Canon Hammond, of the Anglican Church, declares that cremation is preferable to ordinary burial. “The burning of the body, which a few hours before was the temple of the soul, is abhorrent." said Aloneignor Aleauey. in explaining the Catholic Church's opposition to cremation. , He. stated that another objection to it was that oiten the exhumation of bodies enabled the detection of crimes, and with cremation the fear of exhumation would not be a deterrent to wrongdoing. Aiousignor Aleancy qualified his Church’s view by pointing out that in times of epidemics the legislation against cremation is suspended on hygienic grounds, but in normal times there was not the neecssitj. Canon' Hammond said lie was entirely in favour of it. and that lie had provided in his will that his remains were to be cremated. He was unable to understand any objection to it, except by conservative people who did not like changes“l have conducted a number of cremations,” went on Canon , Hammond, ‘hand I liked it. Standing around a grave and hearing the clods of earth falling on tho coffin has always been a disturbing inuuence with me, and to think of those you love decomposing underground is revolting.” .