The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-01-23
A Movement at Washington, Pa,
In Regard 10 Funeral he
forms,

happhct ot tnt St''
We published an article from the Pitts.
bureh Leader which il very suggestive Of
q needed reform, not only 10 the city, but
in similar communities like NJ own.
We need TO adopt u new custom in our
methods OF conducting funerals, which
will conduce more TO the comfort and
c~on7enlence Of society, than the methods
now in use; but, it only can be done by .
combination Of the leading influences that
control the customs OF the community.
The present methods OF burial are often.
times ostentatious and always expensive,
and should be so modified as 10 save the
feelings Of the sensitive, and economic
the means OF those who cannot afford an
unnecessary outlay. =,
As impressive lessons can be taught
and learned at such times, 1t Is well 10
have some religious services connected
with the burial Of the dead. But the
facilities for conducting such exercises
properly, can rarely he had in our pri-
yate honses. They are generally too
small TO accommodate the friends who
may wish to attend, SO that it not unire-
quently happens that tue religious ser
vices are very unsatisfactory, while q
portion Of those in attendance are Obliged
10 remain upon the outside exposed, pos
sibly, to danger and annoyance from the
inclemency Of the weather. 1t Is also a
question Of sanitary Importance whether
il Is we'll to have u large number oil
people crowded into the ANAL space IN
private houses in close proximity to an
open coffin. Under many circumstances
it il evidently nnwise, although 1t is
often done. -,
Before the present cemetery was laid
ont il was the custom for the family, ioi'
lowed by the friends, to walk to the place
Of burial, and the pall.bearerS generally
carried the dead. AT present, owing to
the Distance Of the cemetery from the
town, this is changed, and it is now neces.
sary 10 employ carriages. For the family
TO hire a number OF c%OnveyanCes Is some
times u very oneFouS burden, and for the
friends to engage their own, often IN
wolves an outlay Of money aud a losa oil
time that cannot we'll be spared.
Upon these considerations, the follow.
ing changes have been proposed. which,
W 9 think, will serve to accommodate the
friends, who desire TO show their sympa-
thy BY their presence at a funeral with
out Inconvenience, exposure or undue
loss Of time. They will afford the Off
ciating minister an opportunity, under
the most favorable circumstances, OF i'm.
proving the occasion by religious exer.
cises, which can be enjoyed by all. They
will rave the danger OF IN exposure, OF
any one, 10 disease, from close contact
with the dead. They will enable the
family and friends to show their respect
to the dead, without the tedious aud
oitentimes dangerous trip to the cemetery.
They will save the expenses arising from
The hiring OF unnecessary vehicles.
IL the dwelling ia large enough to nc.
commodate all who would probably at.
tend, the religious services may be held
there "a usual. When the services are
over, the dead may be removed by the
nall. bearers to the hearse, and they, in a
single carriage, could accompany the
hearse to the cemetery and perform the
burial. There is 10 reason why the fam.
ily should accompany the dead 10 the
grave, unless It BIZ that they are unwill-
Ing TO be criticised for not observing the
usual custom. But such custom is open
TO several serions objections. Rellecting
persons will perceive that n family that
has been attending the sick, il may be for
n long period, is not in n condition to
stand any further strain upon their men
taI mr. nkysicial mowers. To have them,
under such circumstances, accompany
the dead 10 the grave, especially in iucle.
ment weather, is running too great a risk
for the sake OF adhering to a custom.
Among the English and Scotch, women
never attend tho burial Of the dead. They
with the other members OF the family,
make their parting with their dead with.
in their homes, where no curious, I'M
feeling eve can witness their sorrow or
criticize their behavior. After that is
over they can well leave tue interment
to their friends.
II, however, tho dwelling is too small,
as ia generally the case, the services
should be held in a church. At n given
hour. the family and pall-bearers on foot,
accompanied by the hearse, can meet
their friends at the church. Here all can
be conveniently and comfortably accom-
modated, and the religious services can
be properly conducted. Before leaving
the dwelling, tho coffin might II deemed
desirable, be permanently closed, unless
it was the wish Of the family TO have it
opened again. After the services, the
friends might accompany the family on
foot, back TO their home, in funeral pro.
cession, while the corpse could be com.
mitted 10 the care of those who were APP
pointed 10 make the interment. Thus,
only two vehicles would be needed, the
hearse, and one carriage for the pail
bearers.
II these suggestions are adopted, they
will remove the danger to health from
exposure; economic unnecessary ex-
pense; prevent inconvenience and dis
comfort, and ave the time and outlay OF
those who would like To be present. Still,
they are not obligatory upon any who
may not haveth disposition or the moral
courage to break away from the old Gus
tom. II is hoped, however, asthatthey will
be generally approved.
The following ministers, physicians,
editors and Others have authorized us to
say that they Every heartily approve Of
the plan suggested, az conducting to the
safety, comfort and economy Of all con.
cerned." Indeed, so hearty has been the
approval, that only one individual whom
We have met, failed TO give it his sane.
ton.
Church; Rev. N. @. Blaine, pastor Bap.
list Church; Rev. s. II. billiard, pastor
Episcopal Church; Rev. George I. Hays,
pastor Second Presbyterian Church; Rev.
j. /. Brownson, pastor First Presbyte-
rian Church.
Drs. NJ. II. Clark, Thomas McKennan,
John A. Mexican, George A. DSugherty,
W. r. Thompson, AS. McElree, John X.
Kelley, T. b. NJ. Wilson aud ]. NJ.
Maurer.
Harry j. shellmau, editor "ObSerq;"
w, @. Lyme, editor Rcpiep e Eramiaer;
MIRA. S. r. Hanna, q. NJ. Reed, W. w.
Smith.
Nothing Like Being Cautions.
T~oledoans arc the honestest people
knownin this great republic. Just listen
to the following story which a tourist told
aEfee Pes reporter In Detroit: A trav-
lut.. n.r,AJ A 7 Nrnsu aionnaj n,