Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-21

In nearly ali cases where thoughtful men
and women. including many OF those who
had achieved great distincuon in the world,
have given direction concerning their burial
after death. they have almost uniformly re-
Quested that their funeral seould be simple
and inexpensive, and as private as possible
lnstanc ces of the kind are being published in
this and other countries, as occurring among
the learned tho disting uished, the refined, and
even among the wealthy ana aristocratte III
view OF such examples, tnat nave such sound
reason and SO much common sense to back
them, 1t is surprising that onr funeral cere
monies continue to be so long conducted on the
prevailing plan. There is nothing whatever
20 nd the psssens anss except the
and acceptable tribute to the dead This idea,
however, in many cases, is an erroneous one,
and always a hurtfnl one. If the deceased
person could have any voice in the matter, ii
would be found. in large proportion OF cases,
that the costly and unmeaning parade, often at
the expense of the necessarles oflife to the sur.
vivors, would be an thing else but desirable
and grateful. refeI m of the whole subject
is one OF the most desirable things in our So
cial economy, especially as 1t happens Just
now that those least able to bear the cxpen. /.
eiveness Of the existing custom, seems impell.
ed, by some means, to carry 1t to the greatest
extremes. .s4. : srs.4 - .. :.
A few years ago we happened to be present
at funeral where the deceased person was a
me mber of a dely.knowR and highly es-
teemed family, and the eirc cumstaaces attend
ing the death being of very distressing cha.
racter, there was large attendance OF sympa-
thlzing friends. The funeral solemnities, how
ever, were quite simple and very impressive,
because OF their simplicity. Everything was
done before leaving the house. The pastor of
the deceased made q brief but ouching and
most appropriate address. There was prayer,
then the leave taking, and then the assem-
blage retired. None OF the ladies or the chill
dren OF the family went to the cemetery. Three
carriages, containing the male relatives and a
few household aud near friends, all males.
made up The entire funeral cdrtegs. They
Witnessed the placing Of the coffin, containing
the remains Of the beloved one, III the vault,
which, on account OF all the ate ding circum
stances, The deep and strong affection existing
between the deceased and those left behind to
mourn, the large circle Of sympathizlng
1riends, the social position OF the family, gave
strong temptation for an oste ntatious funeral.
1t was resisted, however. The family were
well aware that their profound grief did not
need the endorsement OF such q display and
they well knew that this quiet and simple
mode OF interment would have been In entire
accordance with the refined tastes or the de-
ceased II she could hsve been consulted.
Among the advantages OF this simple form
OF funeral service we may men ton q few.
First. it avoids the dis'ressful aud sometimes
agonizlng scenes peculiar to our modern fune-
widow, or an almost distracted orphan stands
Dy to see the idol,zed child, the fond and al
most adored husband, or the beloved parent
lowered into the yawning grave. These things
bear but they almost murder women and child
ren. Such aftiicung and dang gerous occurren-
ces are all avoided where the ceremonies are
brought TO close at the residence, and only q
few male friends 20 20 the graveyard. Next, it
avoids the injurious conseq uences OF keeping
a large cencourse OF people standing on the
damp ground while long discourse Is being
delivered, and elaborate ceremonies are going
on at the grave, aud all the other risks of being
exposed to the weather with uncovered heads,
IN summer or winter. in sunshine or in storm
IL avoids. too, the unbefitting scenes so fire.
quentlv observed when promiseuous assem-
blage OF persons, having widely different no
uons Of the propriefies OF such an occasion,
gather into the carriages. cunversing all the
way in jocular manner, sn every subject but
the all important one of death and judgment
And finally-alihough we have by no me- ans
exhausted the list--it avoids one of the mosts
expensive features OF our funeral system. the
employment ofimmense numbers of carriages
This last Is a matter that should have more
weight than it is likely to receive at present
but II should be weighed, for very often lami-
lies load themselves without thought, with a
burden OF un necessary funeral expenses under
which they stagRer for many a dong and wea.
~ day, depriviDg the living of com forts 10 pay
for a vain display OF regard for the dead-PhiI-