The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-08-08
displays at Funerals.

In nearly all cases where thoughIIul
men and women, including many OF
those who had achieved great distinc-
tion in the world, have given direction
concerning their burial after death /,
they have almost uniformly requested
that their funerals should be simple
and inexpensive, and as private as pos
sible. Instances of the kind are con-
stnntly being published in this and
other countries, as occurring among
the learned, the distinguished, the re:
fined, and even among the wealthy and
arisLocratic. In view of such exam
Piles, that have such sound reason and
SO much common sense to back them.
II Is surprising that our funeral cere-
monies continue to be so long conduct
ed on the prevailing plan. Thre Is
nothing whatever to recommend the
present custom, except the idea that the
living are thus paying grateful and
acceptable tribute to the dead. This
idea, however, is, in many cases, an
erroneous one, and always hatetul
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 at the expense OF the necessaries
of life to the survivors, would be any
thing else than desirable and grateful.
A reform of the whole subject is one of
the most desirable things in our social
c6pGSldAAS 10 A. JASh
now that those least able to bear the ex-
pensiveness of the existing custom,
seem impelled, by some means, to carry
IL to the greatest eXtremities.
A few years ago we happened to be
present at a funeral where the deceased
person was member OF a widely
known and hiRhly-esteemed family,
and the circumstances attending the
death being of Il very distressing char
acter, there was large attendance of
sympathizing friends. The funeral So
lemnities, however, were quite simple
and very impressive, because of their
simplicity. Everything was done be-
fore leaving the house. The pastor of
the deceased made II brief but touching
and most appropriate address. 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 carriages,
containing the male relatives and few
household and near friends, all males,
made up the entire funeral cortege.
They witnessed the placing of the coffin,
containing the remains OF the beloved
one, In the vault, and the funeral was
over. Yet this was case which, on
account of all the attending circun-
stances, the deep and strong affection
existing between the deceased and those
left behind to mourn, the large circle OF
sympathizing friends, the social posi-
ton of the family, gave strong tempta-
ton for an OstentatiouS funeral. II was
resisted, however. The family were
well aware that their profound grief
did not need the endorsement of such "a
display, and they we'll knew that the
quiet and simple mode of interment
would have been in accordance with the
refined tastes of the deceased If she
could have been consulted.
Among the advantages of this simple
,Ws.a.
ton few. First, il avoids the distress
full and sometimes agonizing scenes
peculiar to our modern funerals, where
n heart-broken mother, a bereaved wild
ow, or an almost distracted orphan
stands by to see the idoliZed child, the
fond and almost adOred husband, or
the beloved parent, lowered into the
yawning grave. These things are fear
iul for the stoutest, manly hearts to
bear, but they almost murder women
and children. Such atflicting and dan
gerous occurrences are all avoided and
brought to a close at the residence and
only few male friends go to the grave
yard. Next, 1t avoids the injurious
consequences of keeping a large con-
course of people standing on the damp
ground while Il long discourse is being
delivered, and elaborate cermonies are
going on at the grave, and all the other
risks of being exposed to the weather
with uncovered heads, in winter or
summer, in sunshine or in storm. It
avoids, too, the unbefittiDg scenes so
frequently observed when u promiscu-
Gus assemblage of persons, having
widely different notions of the proprie-
ties of such an occasion, gather into
the carriages, conversing all the way in
a jocular manner, on every subject but
the all important one of death and
judgment. And tinally-although we
have bV no means OK hAusted the list-it
avoids one of the most expensive fea-
lures of oHr funeral system, and the
employment of immense numbers of
carriages. This last is a matter that
should have more weight than 1t Is
likely to receive at present, but it should
be weighed, for very often families
load themselves, without thought, with
a burden of unnecessary funeral ex-
penses under which they stagger for
many long weary day, depriving the
living of comforts TO pay for vain dis
play of regard for the dead.