The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-05-19
CUSTOMS OF THE COUNTRY.

Every locality has its peculiar character"
istics. There are certain customs which by
reason of their origin and associations ought
to he perpetuated. There are others the reason
and necessity for which having ceased, and
having no endearing associations ought to
he abandoned. We have in mind certain
practices observed at funerals in this section;
and we shall refer, first, to the wearing OF
hats by male mourners at the burial services
held in the church. This is an old custom,
and probably arose from the Quaker form of
worship, which does not require the hat to
be removed in church at anytime. But with
all other denominations the hat is removed
in the presence of the Lord, and why 1t
should not be done on funeral occasions is
not satisfactorily explained. 1t certainly is
not worn out of reverence to the Almighty,
and as we do not stand with covered heads
in the presence of those of our fellow beings,
living, for whom we wish to show respect,
the wearing of the hat in the presence of the
dead is not mark of respect for them. There
seems then to be no reason for it, and the
custom of entering the house of God with
uncovered head ought not to be departed
from at any time. Second, the practice OF
returning to the house ofthe bcreaved family
after the burial, for a feast. There are some
circumstances under which 1t is unavoidable
to invite friends and relatives of the deceased
to return to the house to dine, and when a
failure to do so might be considered breach
of hospitality; as for instance in the country
where friends come from distance to at
tend the funeral, who must either be pro-
vided for, or go home without refreshment
| But in town, except for the immediate
members of the family, there is no occasion
for it, Those who have passed through the
| ordeal of laying beloved form under the
sod can fully appreciate the fact that the day
| that took forever from their sight member
of their household, was the time ofall times
when they desired to withdraw from society,
| and be left alone in the quiet and solitude
of home. We have known of many in
stances, and it must be so in all cases, where
the invitation has been given contrary to the
inclinations and yet the fear that not hav-
ing dinner might be imputed to other mo.
tives than desire for quiet, often compels
many to sacrifice their feelings to this al
most universal custom.
Third, the custom of waiting at the grave
until it is filled up. This practice undoubt-
edly originated in early days when the
country was but thinly settled, and sections
were not so numerous as now. 1t was then
necessary that the friends should lend a
hand, aud assist in the last act that could
be done for the deceased. But times are
changed and with times, customs also should
change. 1t is hard to stand by and see the
casket containing the mortal remains of a
dear one lowered into the cold earth, but to
hear the shrieks and means of the mother,
the wife, and the sister, while the clods are
being thrown upon that form is more than
heart rending. The dull thud oft the damp
earth as it falls upon the coffin rings for
months in the ears of the afflicted ones, and
often obliterates the thoughts of other scenes
connected with the last days of the departed.
The first rattle of "earth to earth, dust to
dust, ashes to ashes," is painful to hear, but
to require mourners to stand for half hour
and witness the heaping of clods on their
lost one, is simply barbarous.
The above remarks are submitted in nc
spirit of harsh criticism, but simply for the
purpose of inducing an abandonment Of
customs which are not necessary, and which
inhict unnecessary suffering on bereaved
families.