The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-09-30
Funeral Kxpenses.


We quote some Judicious remarks on this
subject from the Presbyterian Herald The
expensveness Of funerals has become SO great
an evil that a remedy is loudly called for. We
have seen persons harassed for weeks after the
death Of members Of their families by the de-
mands for money to pay the funeral expenses.
While the head is still bowed down in sorrow,
and the tear is still upon the cheek, the be-
reaved one is obliged TO make exertions 10 pay
debts contracted by the display of the funeral.
The widow whose former means Of support
have been removed, has, in addition 10 the fee
of the physician, to pay the much more bur.
densome fee Of fashion. She must dress her
self in "mourning goods" to initiate those who
"Bear about the mockery OF
To midnight dances and the public show"
This whole thing is wrong, and calls for
action on the part Of the benevolent members
Of society. Let the wealthy refuse to hire
hacks, and display expensive collins. Let the
ministers Of the different churches preach on
the subject, and they will find themselves effect
ing change.
A circumstance related TO us by gentleman
Of this city shows TO what an extent this pas
sion for funeral display is carried. A little
colored baby died, and the management Of the
funeral was committed TO an old and trusiy
family servant. The bill was sent TO the mas
ter, who had to pay about thirty dollars. He
asked the old servant why he had gone to so
much expense. "Why," said he, 81 had to do
il for the credit of the family"
We notice that some Of our exchanges are
discussing the necessity and propriety of a
change Of the mode of conducting funerals in
our large cities and towns. According TO the
present fashion they are usually so expensive
that families in moderate circumstances are
often grieyOusly oppressed by them at time
when, in consequence Of increased expense in
Cured during sickness and the removal of the
stay and support Of the family, they are least
able 10 bear it. We have known instances In
our own city in which the fu neral expenses took
almost the last dollar from the widow and the
fatheriess children, and yet their affection and
respect for the departed one, together with their
pride to keep up appearances, made them sub
nit TO exactions which under any other circum-
stances would have been firmly resisted.
The Editor of the Waterman Of the Valley
has long article upon the evil, as exhibited In
Cincinnati.
These expenses, he says, arise In part from
the rigid wearing of mourning apparel; this
not being 81 subject for barter, is held usually
at a high price which must be paid. Expen-
ses further arise from what have come 20 be the
exorbitsnt charges for carriage hire, burial SER
vices, etc. The provision Of large number Of
carriages for almost any one who may choose TO
ride, the writer looks upon useless, and wor.
thy of being discountenanced.
We know Of clergyman who was laboring
in new section Of a city 10 build up new
church, whose salary was not probably more
Than three hundred dollars, who was presented
with a bill Of fifty dollars Immediately after the
burial OF one Of his family. The good breth-
rem had kindly attended TO the arrangements
OF Tire funeral, and among other things spoken
lot respectable train Of carriages without con-
sulting him at all.
A few weeks since, we were walking with
a stranger to the grave of our mutual friend,
nc stopped to notice the procession as Il turned
corner, and exclaimed In a tone Of sadness,
a poor man cannot aeord 10 die in Cinciaaafi.
The remark has given rise to many a serious
reflection on the subject of this article. "a