The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-31
The Expense of Funerals-A Move In the
Right Direction.

the EGDfnhe OF EuueFAIh-A MoNtlu Ah'
Right Direction.
The ministers Of St. Paul, Mimi, have
published and distributed among the peo
pie OF that city the following circular il
regard to funerals. 1t is document i'm
peratively demanded by the necessities o
the times, and we trust that the minister!
Of Wheeling ut some OF their meetings II
the near future will give it their favorable
consideration and endorsement. Tht
tyranny OF custom is such that only By
force OF influential example and recon-
mendation can anything be done to mlti
gate great evil that has grown up in al
the cities OF the landau evil that hal
virtually impoverished many family, and
mortgaged the hard earnings OF many Q
working man for months after the death
OF member OF mis- family. The circular
reads as follows:
The pastors assembled in the ministers
meeting desire to make several suggestions
10 the public with reference 10 the con
duct OF funerals.
We have observed that the hour Of be.
reavement is generally one OF bewilder.
mcnt TO those most nearly concerned, and
that outside friends, with the best inten-
lions, do not always know what is wise; as
consequence there is often needless con-
fusion and pain. 1t is fact, also, that
custom inclines 10 making funerals more
and more expensive, until, in some cases,
the desire to render loving tribute to the
dead, or 10 conform to what is thought to
he requircd, involves aburli0nsome outlay.
In the hope OF tightening this burden and
OF so simplifying the service as to remove
occasion for uncertainty, we otIer-the fol-
lowing suggestions.
1t Is desirable that, as far as may be,
funerals may be from the home, and be
attended with as little display as possible.
We advise, under such circumstances,
the separation Of the funeral services FROM
the interment. Letthe hour be fixed for
religious services; let the friends and
neighbors be invited rs usual, but at the
close let them DO dismissed. At such time
afterward as may best suit the convenience
OF the household, summon the undertaken
and remove the remains to the cemetery,
under the care ofthe immediate family or
a lew specially invited friends.
The advantage Of this plan. which has
long been in use elsewhere, and in not q
few instances has been practiCed here, are
that It leaves the family TO take farewell
of their dead undisturbed by onlookers;
1t diminishes by 60 much the pang OF the
most grievous hour in the whole sad event,
It gives peculiar tenderness aud power
Of consolation to the presence Of friends
at the devotional service; it does away
with the inevitable confusion that attends
the removal of'the coffin and the marshal.
ing OF funeral procession, and removes
the necessity OF attendant vehicles, which
form SO large q part OF the customary ex.
pense. A single carriage with the hearse
will generally suffice for those OF the
fAmiy or near friends who 90 to conduct
he interment.
There are also special reasons for the
ldoption OF this custom in the winter sea.
ION, that members oithe family, especially,
hose who, by reason Of intirmity, orcare
u the sick, or the exhaustion consequent
lpon the bereavement, are in circum.
tances OF bodily weakness, may not feel
under an obligation to go to
be cemetery, and, at serious cost to their ]