The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-08-19
Displays at Funerals.
From the Philadelnhia lie.

FROM the fnllaueipnla Ledger
In nearly all cases where thoughtful men
and women, including many of those who
had achieved great distinction in the world,
have given direction concerning their burial
after death, they have almost uniformly re-
quested that their funerals should be simple
and inexpensive, and as private as possible.
Instances of the kind are constantly being
published in this and other countries, as oc
curing among the learned, the distinguish
ed, the refined, and even among the wealthy
and aristocratic. In view of such examples,
that have such sound reason and so much
common sense to back them, it is surprising
that our funeral ceremonies continue to be
so long conducted on the prevailing plan.-
There is nothing whatever to recommend
the present custom, except the idea that the
living are thus paying grateful and accepta-
BILE tribute to the dead. This idea, however,
is, in many cases, an erroneous one, and al
ways hurtful one. If the deceased person
could have any voice in the matter, it would
be found, in a large proportion of cases, that
| the costly and unmeaning parade, often ut
| the expense of the necessaries of life to the
survivors, would be anything else than desIr-
able and grateful. A reform of the whole
subject is one of the most desirable things
in our social economy, especially as 1t hap
pens lust now that those least able to bear
the expensiveness of the existing custom,
seem impeled by some means, to carry II
| to the greatest extremes.
| A few years ago we happened to be pres
| ent at IL funeral where the deceased person
| was a member of widely-known and highly
esteemed family, and the circumstances at
tending the death being of highly distress
| ing character, there was large attendance
| of sympathizing friends. The funeral sol.
emnities, however, 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 touching and most appropriate ad
| dress. There was prayer, then the leave
taking, and then the .assemblage retired
None of the ladies or the children of the
| family went to the cemetery. Three car
riages, containing the male relatives and q
| few household and near friends, all males,
| made up the entire funeral cortege. They
| witnessed the placing of the coffin contain
! ing the remains of the beloved one IN the
vault and the funeral was over. Yet this
! was a case which, on account of all the at
tending circumstances, the deep and strong
| affection existing between the deceased AND
those left behind to mourn, the large circle
| of sympathizing friends the social position
of the family, gave strong temptation for al
ostentatious funeral. 1t was resisted, how
ever. The family were well aware that then
profound grief did not need the Endorsement
of such display, and they well knew thai
this quiet and simple mode of intermen
| would have been in entire accordance witt
| the refined tastes of the deceased if she conlt
have been consulted.
Among the advantages Of this simple form
of funeral service we may mention few
First, it avoids the distressing and sometimes
agonizing scenes peculiar to our modern fu
| nerals, where heart broken mother, be
reaved widow, or an almost distracted OF
phan stands by to see the idolized child, thu
fond and almost adored husband, or the be
loved parent, lowered into the yawninl
grave. These things are fearful tor tn
stoutest manly heart to bear, but they a
most murder women and children. SUCH a,
ficting and dangerous occurrences are o.
avoided where the ceremonies are brough
to close at the residence, and only tie,
male friends go to the graveyard. Next
avoids the injurious consequences OF KEEP
ing a large concourse of people. standing o
the damp ground while long discourse
being delivered, and elaborate ceremonie
are going on at the grave, and all the othe
risks of being exposed to the weather WIT
uncovered heads, in winter or summer, SUI
shine or storm 1t avoids, too, the unbeh
ting scenes so frequently observed when
promiscuous assemblage of persons, havin
, widely different notions of the properties
such an occasion, gather into the carriages
conversing all the way in Jocuiar manne
, on every Subject but the all.important on
of death and Judgement And finally-a
though we have by no means exhausted tn
l;st@it avoids one of the most expensiv
features of our funeral system, the emplo.
ment Of immense nnmbersof carriages. Thi
last Is a matter that should have NOR
weight than it is likely to receive at presen
| but it should be weighed, for very often fan
, lilies load themselves, without tnongnt, Wit
under Which they stagger for many a Ion
and weary day, depriving the living of con
J forts to pay for vain display of regard fo
, the dead. t .r