History, Architecture and the Law
Written by: Peter C Jupp, Douglas J Davies, Hilary J Grainer, Gordon D Raeburn and Stephen RG White
Published by: John Donald
Price: £30
Death is an uncomfortable subject for many people. Yet the Church of Scotland and wider Christian churches all play a key role in the journey of life and regularly participate in the moments to mark the final journey of the dead.
This hardback offers fascinating insights into not only a sometimes taboo subject but also the social change over a particular 40-year period in Scotland which saw the number of burials fall by 50% in favour of cremation. However, with concern about the increasing costs of funerals – and the rising charges for cremation – along with the passage of the Burial and Cremation Bill through the Scottish Parliament – the publication of this book is particularly timely.
It is not a ghoulish thesis: rather it brings together a variety of knowledge covering architecture, social studies, history, politics, religion and the law to chart the change from burial to cremation as the final journey for the dead of Scotland. It offers an intriguing history of Scotland’s relationship with death, involving at times scandal and politics. Religious leaders also played a part in advocating the use of crematoria for the final resting place of those who have passed away. The journey to the then radical introduction of Scotland’s first crematorium – in Maryhill in Glasgow – in the late 19th century was slow to take off. Support from the churches was critical – as well as political support. Doctors also offered sound evidence of the benefits of cremation during times of epidemic and deaths from disease such as cholera. The case was strengthened by a scandal at an Aberdeen cemetery which resulted in legal action.
The growth of crematoria, founded mainly by independent companies with a conscience, was slow to take off.
The depression of the 1930s helped to drive the rise of crematoria and the first council-owned crematorium (following another court case) was established in Aberdeen.
By the 1950s the importance of architecture and the creation of chapels that were both functional and could also meet the needs of the range of religious practice (and none) in Scotland began to dominate the agenda: Kirkcaldy’s crematorium was built after a design competition and remains in use today.
From the early days of operating as independent companies, all of Scotland’s crematoria have long been under local authority control. Images of the 28 crematoria at various times in their history are placed throughout the book – with Dunfermline crematorium featuring on the front cover.
Historians and social history enthusiasts will appreciate the level of detail and care that has gone into the production of this book. For those interested in the changing face of religious practices and relationships with death, this offers an in-depth and meticulously researched account of the drivers and influences on a change which transformed the finaljourney of Scotland’s dead.