CREMATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13918, 1 June 1909, Page 2

CREMATION.

To the Editor of the " Timaru Herald." £>ir, —m ,ioiif leader to-day on •• «_rejuii make no reierence to iviiat appears to many nunds the StlUllg—*., ill jIS l.ttxlil', tn.U la. t.ie possibility ot premature uurial, and a uunu afterwards to consciousness, 'ihe horror, or this will not war enlarging on,, but there can be no dnuut tmiu tins has occurred in many niure cases than have ever come to light. Personally, I can.truly say I have always iiau niucu more dreau of ims tuau of death useli. 1 uaw no ouliot mat .cremation will eventually come into general use, but till this very desirable relorm takes place, 1 tiufik very much more stringent precautious should be taken against premature interment. The usual medical certificate of death is a . mere farce, as a proof that death has actually taken place. A doctor attends a patient during illness, a relative informs the doctor that death has occurred,- and the doctor gives a certificate of the cause of tieath. In some cases a doctor attending a patient recommends mm to go a«vay tor a change of air, death' takes place many miles away, and although the doctor has not seen the patient for weeks, lie gives a certificate of cause of death, ul course tins is ausoluteiv worthless as a proof that death has actually taken place, the doctor, not having seen the body at all. I am writiug this from my own actual personal experience.—l. am, etc., '■CREMATION." Timaru, 31st May.