"The ashes of those persons cremated are handed to the Shanghai Public Benevolent Cemetery for burial in accordance with such rites as they deem advisable, in order that ro religious susceptibilities will be offended; and it may be pointed out hat this final burial not only avoids polluting the earth, but does not occupy so much space as earth burial.
"In view of your interest in the subject, I would call your attention to the desirability of cremation during ordinary times. There is no need for this act to be unaccompanied by religious ceremonies, nor need it preclude the erection of a suitable memorial, though the memorial should only occupy a small area so às to prevent useful land being taken ow of cultivation.
"This Department will at all times be prepared to assist with advice in regard to this matier, should any of your committees be considering establishing a permanent crematorium, "I would add that though for some months the work outside the Railway Line wi carried out by stof? under this Department's supervision, we have in the last day or so been ble to avail ourselves of the generous offer of free assistance made by the Red Cross Society of China. Twenty volunteers with a van supplied by this body are wor for western districts."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.