12.Site of the Former Crematorium (Yasuragi Monument)
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■Commentary
Up until 1960, when a resident of Keifuen passed away, their body was cremated at the crematorium constructed at this spot. The crematorium was built in 1920. While it is unclear how the bodies of residents were handled before that, looking at cases from other sanatoriums, it is conceivable that a crematory furnace was not used, and bodies were burned directly on the ground. Cremation was considered a part of patients’ duties. Residents who died were cremated by fellow residents. Although serving as a crematorium worker offered patients somewhat better wages compared to other responsibilities, it is said that there were not many who took on the task. In 1983, the Yasuragi monument was established on the site of this crematorium.
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National Sanatorium Kikuchi Keifuen History museum
The crematorium was built in 1920. While it is unclear how the bodies of residents were handled before that, looking at cases from other sanatoriums, it is conceivable that a crematory furnace was not used, and bodies were burned directly on the ground.
Cremation was considered a part of patients’ duties. Residents who died were cremated by fellow residents. Although serving as a crematorium worker offered patients somewhat better wages compared to other responsibilities, it is said that there were not many who took on the task.
In 1983, the Yasuragi monument was established on the site of this crematorium.