The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-04-28
The Expenses Of Death.

II has come to such pass, not only in
the metropolis, but also in majority Of
The larger cities, that the death off men,
Der Of family entails bill Of expenses
to meet which gives the living friends no
little embarrassment, 0flentimes the un-
dertakers charges, including the bill for
carriages, Is large M the salary Of
many u popular clergyman u Hundreds
Of dollars must be forthcoming to pay the
funeral rites. To be sure this docs not
apply to every family, There are many
outside Of fashions circle who are thereby
released frDm its aSsesSlnelts. But even
these feel The influence 81 the eStravh-
gance Of others in funeral expenses. II
Is one Of the fOllies Of thei times, and
ought to be vigorously condemned and
speedily OverlhrOwm. j@IEN'
There Is one feature in this funeral ex.
lravagance that calls for special protest.
There Is no justification or propriety, and
rarely sany taste or fitness in the floral
embCms which are now regarded M an in
IiswnsablC adjunct Of every funeral.
This iashiOn--GOr II IL nothing more--is
often without any Significance as Il tribute
To the deceased; Il subjects living persons
to m expense they can i'll afford 10 bear,
and involves u wicked waste Of money
that might be applied to some good and
practical purpose.
a few days ago the remains Of Dan
Bryant were conveyed 10 the tomb. lie
waS very popular IN his time, but died so
poor that his associates in tic dramatic
profession are taking steps 10 raise some
fund for the benefit Of his family. They
have literally nothing, and the deceased
left behind him debts that probably will
not be paid. At his funeral the cost Of
the llOral emblcns must have been thOus-
ands Of dollars. In this instance many
Of these tributes were from those who |
sincerity loved their dead friend. hut
how much better would II have been had
they applied the money 10 expended tn
the relief Of the poor fellows wife and
children.
lthaS been stated upon good authority
that the floral displays ut funerals where
such exhibitions are expected rarely cost
less than seven hundred dollars. Five
thousand dollars were spent at one funer-
Al. il is not unusual to hire florist to
lake care Of the emblcnls on the way 10
The cemetery.
In n majority Of cases the costly ri.
DuteS are utterly without Significance.
Crowns, crosses, columns, hafps, doves
md other designs in which the Ingenuity
II the florist Is displayed, are sent In with
he donors card affixed. They are looked
1t, and displayed for public inspection,
nSt aS wedding presents are spread out
N long tables, under the supervision NJ a
'oliCe detective. Very often those who
i've the flowers do so becuase they feel
lnder personal obligations TO the family
4 the deceased. There il no love ex.
'ressed; no tribute Of respect intended.
I Is simply the payment Of tax imposed
y prevailing fashion. But itis q Gus.
PM that ought TO be put down, "a at vAri-
nee with the plaineNt principles Of pro-
riety and good taste. II Is an cxlrayn-
nhce which Is far from harmless, for the
lQhey wasted upon these often inappro.
riate emblems might In many cases be
eeyoted to the support Of destitute
idowS and orphansI-B Buffalo Aireriiser. i,