Death Redesigned: British Cremation - History, Architecture and Landscape

by Hilary J. Grainger, Alan Crawford (Foreword), Peter C. Jupp (Foreword)

Cremation was rediscovered in the late nineteenth century, popularised in the twentieth, and now many of us are cremated after death. This method of disposal required a wholly unprecedented building type - both functional and symbolic - set in a new landscape for mourning. The 251 crematoria in Britain have to suit both the practical and emotional needs of the religious and non-religious, Christians and those of other faiths. Yet until now they have not had the attention their importance and interest deserve. This book examines the special historical, social and cultural conditions that lie behind them. The buildings - some by leading architects - often display real architectural merit, and many are set in gardens representing the very finest traditions of twentieth-century landscape design. An illustrated gazetteer provides comprehensive information about each one.

519 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2006