The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-10-14
COSTLY FUNERALS.
The Protestant Clergy Of wheeling
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Suggestion Worthy the Attention
ofthe whole American Public.

Ofthe whole American
The following paper, signed we be-
lieve, by all the Protestant clergymen OF
this city, has been placed in onr hands
for publication:
The undersigned clergymen of the
city OF Wheeling desire to lay before
the public the following paper on the
subject of funerals. 1t has been pre-,
pared and signed, and is now published
as the result Of a meeting of Protestant
ministers called for the purpose OF con-
sidering the matters to which IL reiers.
In dealing with subject which is in
eyery way so delicate, we desire to avoid
a sentiment or an expression which
could wound the feelings OF any person,
and especially of the bereaved. Moth
ing which is stated here is to be con-
strued as an allusion to any particular
case in the past. We wish also to dis.
claim any attempt to dictate in regard
to a matter which must be left in the
end to the free choice OF the families
and friends of those who decease among
us. Still, in the discharge OF our official
duties we very frequently are brought
into contact with what seems to US to
be at least inexpe lient methods Of pay
ing the last marks OF respect to the
dead. And we know Of no other body
of men from whom advice on this sub
iect NAV so appropriately come, or to
whom the public will be so likely to
listen. We are the more encouraged
to lay our views before the people by
the belief that they are already widely
entertained, and need only to be pre-
scented in a proper way in order TO Sc
cure conformity to them in practice, at
least to a good degree.
There are two principal things 10
which we desire to call attention. The
first of these is the large expenditures
which are neessS;tated IN the ray Of hire
for carriages, according to the present
plan ofconductiag our .fnaerols. 1t seems
to be understood that, except IN rare
cases, there must be conveyances fur
nished sufficient for all who will con-
sent to 60 to the grave. The objections
to this are many. Except where pecu.
liar circumstances require more, all
that respect for the dead and sympathy
for the bereaved demand OF any besides
the immediate relatives and close
friends. is that they should meet at the
house or the church where the relis.
ious services are conducted before tie
body is taken to the grave. II this
was once commonly understood, there
would be no need for long trains OF
carriages. Again, the presence OF a
mixed multitude ct the grave. where
the last leave is to be taken OF the dead,
seems to be hardly in harmony with
that peculiarly tender and solemn
scene. When we come TO bury our
dead out OF our sight. how much pref:
cradle would it be to be left alOse with
God and those who feel something Of
our own grief. Why should we bring
the world with us to gaze at the spec
tacle? But one OF the strongest ohjec-
tons to tie habit is the heavy burdens
of cost which it incurs, often upon
those who are really not able 10 hear
them. In Gaze IT death We all
desire to avoid whatever might
! be interpreted as Il lack OF respect Tor
our departed relatives, or a. mean
toward their friends. The consequence
is, that in keeping with the prevailing
custom, not only the rich, but those
vino are in less aiiluent circumstances
feel compelled to provide numerous
conveyances at heavy expense. Often
debt is thus left hanging over tie
head Of a widow, or orphan children,
who are almost in danger OF suffering
| !or bread
Whatever change is made must begin
with the more wealthy. They can
afford to set an example. As soon as
it is set by them, and not till then, those
who have less OF this worlds goods
will follow it. We would therefore
call upon them to begin the needed
reformation. May we suggest that
hereafter it shall he the custom for all
the friends of the deceased to meet at
the house or church for religious
services. Then when carriages are
necessary, let only sufficient number
to convey the relatives and close friends
to the grave, form the procession. And
if others wish to accompany the re-
maine, let them provide their own con.
veyauccs. But as a general rule let the
privacy Of the final farewell he re-
spected.
The other OF the two things to which
we desire to call attention is the haiti OF
haring funerals on the Sabbath. We
concede that this is in some cases un-
avoidable. But in other cases we have
thought that the Sabbath has been
chosen when an earlier or later date
would have answered. lnasmuch as
the Sabbath is the day on which the
clergy perform their principal labors,
the custom is especially not suited to
their convenience. But a weightier
reason for avoiding the Sabbath is the
tendency of this habit to destroy the
quiet of the day, and sometimes to con-
vert it into season OF pomp and parade.
We advise, therefore, that when it is
practicable, our funerals shall not take
place on the Lords day.
D. w. FISHER,
Pastor First Presbyterian Church.
HENRY G. WESTwooD,
Pastor Fourth Street NJ. E. Church.
SAMUEL B. BAENITz,
Pastor First Eng Luth. Church.
j. I. MCCLURE,
Pastor U. P. Church.
JOHN MoFFATT,
Pastor Second Pres. Church.
A. w. WEBER,
Pastor Fourth Street German
Evangelical Lutheran Church.
G.. MARTIN,
Presiding Elder Wheeling District.
L. B. HUGHES,
Pastor North Street NJ. E. Church