The cremation of Dr. Dio Lewis, the famous health reformer, in the latter part of May, 1886, and that of Mr. Henry Dodge, of one of the leading banking firms on Wall Street, in the early part of June, attracted wide attention.
The first one to advocate the adoption of cremation in Buffalo, N. Y., was, to my knowledge, Dr. Frederick Peterson, who championed the reform in an article written for the Buffalo Medical and Surgical Journal. Many years passed, however, before his ardent advocacy was followed by practical results. The Buffalo Cremation Company (Limited) was incorporated in July, 1884, under the law of 1875,—the so-called limited liability act.
At a meeting held May 18, 1886, the first board of directors was elected, with Dr. Charles Cary as president. The gentlemen constituting this first board managed the affairs of the company so well, and agreed among themselves so perfectly, that they were reelected, and are still in office.
At this meeting committees were appointed on the purchase of real estate for a suitable site for building a crematorium, also for plans for the erection of a furnace for the incineration of bodies. Subscriptions came in rapidly, and those who had strong faith in the ultimate accomplishment of this work were gratified by the realization of their hopes. Any one who takes a look at the crematorium of Buffalo to-day, must acknowledge that the crematists of this city have a right to be glad and proud to behold at last the practical outcome of their work.
At a meeting of the board of directors in the early part of August, 1885, the committees appointed for the purpose rendered their reports in reference to a site for a crematorium and a cinerary apparatus. In accordance with these reports the directors purchased a site on Delavan Avenue, near Delaware Avenue. The dimensions are 181 feet front, 161 feet rear, and 148 feet in depth. The property was bought at a cost of $20 per foot, and on very favorable terms.
Originally the capital stock was $10,000, divided into 400 shares, of the par value of $25 per share. This was afterward increased to $15,000, divided into 600 shares of the same par value. This stock when once paid up is non-assessable, and not liable for the debts of the company.
The Buffalo crematorium, which was finished recently, is of a composite style of architecture, and is constructed of Medina stone, with a slate roof. The outline of the building is a pleasing one, and the architecture is of such a character that it resembles a church more closely than a place where any mechanical operation is carried on. The grounds of the company are entered from Delavan Avenue by a spacious roadway, running to a porch and then passing around the building to the door of the mortuary chamber, on the east side. Those who accompany the body alight at the porch, and pass thence into the auditorium. The body itself is removed from the hearse at the door of the mortuary chamber.
When the coffin containing the body is received in the mortuary chamber, the body is removed and placed on the car which awaits its reception. The car is then moved by machinery, and without noise, into the chancel, where, if it is desired, the body may remain in sight of those in the auditorium during the progress of such service as the friends and relatives may wish to have performed. At the proper time the same mechanism moves the car noiselessly behind the doors which cut off the incinerating room from the sight of the audience.
The building itself is some 70 feet in width, by 60 feet deep. The construction throughout is of the most substantial character. The lot is graded and seeded, and trees and shrubs were planted, so that the appearance of the crematorium and its surroundings is most pleasing to the eye.
