From Dust to Ashes: The Development of Cremation in England & Wales, 1874 to 2025 – a talk by Dr Brian Parsons.

The Friends of Putney Library are delighted to welcome back Dr Brian Parsons, author and funeral historian, to give this fully illustrated presentation. The talk will start by tracing the factors that led up to the first cremation at Woking in March 1885, followed by an analysis of why cremation was so slow to develop in subsequent decades. The post-World War years witnessed a dramatic rise in the preference for cremation; today, just over 80 per cent of funerals are at a crematorium. The final part of this talk explores this replacement of burial along with current themes such as direct cremation and the introduction of ‘Water Cremation’.
Dr Brian Parsons has worked in funeral directing in London since 1982. He now focuses on staff training, but also researches the history of funeral service along with the development of cremation and London cemeteries. He is the author of a number of books including The London Way of Death, Committed to the Cleansing Flame, (with Hugh Meller) London Cemeteries: An Illustrated Guide and Gazetteer, and (with Peter C Jupp) From Dust to Ashes. The Development of Cremation in England & Wales, 1874-2025.
Refreshments from 6.00pm and this FREE talk will begin at 6.30pm. Cash donations gratefully accepted.