NEW CREMATORIUM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 1 May 1945, Page 2

NEW CREMATORIUM

SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE SUITABLY APPOINTED chapel The erection of the Nelson City Council's crematorium has been completed and this new service is now available to the people of the Nelson district. The crematorium is situated in the grounds of the Wakapuaka cemetery. Uis a modern building with a suitably appointed chapel. The chapel is 30ft by 20ft with beautiful rimu panelling eight feet high, and an arched ceiling in which the concealed lighting is placed. The windows are of black and white design with small panes of differently shaped glass. The chancel contains a bier upon which the casket rests during the service, which is similar to that read at the graveside. When the service is completed sliding curtains between the chapel and chancel are drawn. The cremation chamber is clean and neat the steel sides of the cremator being painted with aluminium. The cremation is carried out by means of oil fires under a draught produced by electric motor and air jets. An intense heat is created the operation being smokeless except for a minute during the burning of the casket. The cost of cremation compares favourably with that of earth burial. The chapel at the crematorium provides the facilities for any form of service that may be desired either by relatives or by the officiating minister or clergyman. Appropriate recorded music is provided before and after the service, though this can be dispensed with. DISPOSAL OF ASHES Ashes of cremated remains will be available on the day following cremation. These may be taken away by the person who applied for the cremation and disposed of privately or they may be dealt with in any of the following ways: (*'■' Interred in common ground specially set apart at the cemetery for this purpose, in which case there is no fee. (b) Interred or spread in any plot owned by the relatives in the general cemetery—a family grave for instance. (c) Relatives may purchase the exclusive right of burial of ashes in one of the 4ftx4ft plots in the ground specially set aside and laid out by the council for the purpose. The fee in this case is £6. for which the council undertakes to provide a memorial metal plaque of standard size suitably embossed with the deceased’s name, date of birth or age, and date of death, and to mount the same on a concrete base on the plot. The council also undertakes to lay out ar.d riant the plot and to maintain it in oerpetuity. The council believes that the service offered in this respect will be appreciated by relatives and that this particular ground will become a fitting and worthy garden of remembrance. The first cremation took place on Saturday when a Chinese resident was created and it is understood that the remains will later be sent to China.