Cremations
Until the 19th century Christians did not practise cremation, and even now it is expressly forbidden by some Christian denominations. Special legislation in many countries of Europe and America, as well as South Africa, has legalised cremation, and precautions are taken to prevent its use to destroy evidence of crime. After burning the body, the ashes may be scattered in ‘gardens of repose’ or, more usually, deposited in urns at the crematorium or in private graves. The modern furnaces used for cremation are usually heated by means of gas (from the main), diesel oil or electricity. It takes about two hours, at a temperature ranging from 700 to 1,100 °C, to complete the process.
The following crematoria (with date of erection, method of heating, and temperature used) operate in South Africa: S.A. Cremating Co. Ltd.,
Stellawood, Durban (1926; coke-fired; 1,100 °C)
Johannesburg Crematorium, Braamfontein cemetery (1932; gas-operated; 900 °C)
Cape Town Crematorium, Maitland (1934; fuel oil; 1,100 °C)
Port Elizabeth Crematorium (1953; gasoperated; 700 °C)
Pretoria Municipal Crematorium (1957; electricity; 800 °C)
Cambridge Crematorium, East London (1959; diesel oil; 1,100 °C)
In the Republic of South Africa cremation is governed by regulations in terms of an ordinance in each of the provinces where crematoria have been erected for this purpose. The more important conditions and requirements prescribed may be summarised as follows: It shall not be lawful to cremate the remains of any person who is known to have left written directions to the contrary, and it is unlawful to cremate human remains which have not been identified. Before cremation can take place there must in every case be an application form, signed by an executor or by the nearest surviving relative, and accompanied by two medical certificates certifying the cause of death. These forms, together with a burial order signed by the proper authority, are submitted to the medical referee, specially appointed for this purpose, who signs the authority to cremate.