Cremation

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'Cremation', 1875. A young man is dismayed to find his uncle helping himself to some 'snuff' that he found in an urn on the mantelpiece of his nephew's lodgings. In fact, cremation was being strongly advocated as a more hygienic method of disposal of bodies by some groups. The previous year, Lady Dilke's remains were cremated at Dresden in the presence of her relatives. She had been a strong supporter of the process. This came about in part as a result of the growing outrage at the over-filled and terrible urban graveyards that polluted air and soil. One of these is graphically described by Dickens in Bleak House. From Punch, or the London Charivari, 1875. Show more