The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-10-08
A Much Needed Reform.

First the newspapers and now the
Clergy are calling attention to and
uttering their disapproval of the costly
and elaborate floral decorations at
| funerals. In one instance THAT of A. T.
Stewart) bill for $4,000 for flowers
alone was presented, and in another,
that of an ordinary tradesman, for $500,
when his entire estate did not foot up
over $5O00l The latter was wisely and
justly refused payment by the surrogate,
who held that it was unnecessary, out
of place and illegal. The former, We
presume was paid, 7 as the estate was
immense, the amount as trife to the
SUM total, and there was no one to object.
Twenty thousand dollars for "foral
decoration. at a funeral! How much
better it would have been to have
donated the sumt to the suffering poor
of the great city in which he died? And
another thing, of what, benefit was this
ostentatious display to either the dead
or the living? The cold clay in the
coffin knew nothing of. tea roses, and
camelias, and pansies, and tube-roses;
cared nothing for them when absorbed
in business; had no sympathy with
them or their culture; no love for their
beauty or exquisite perfume.
But that is not The point When
millionaire dies his heirs have the right,
we presume, to do what they please
with the money-to bury him in jasa'
mine and sprays Of smilax If 1t suits
| their fancy, butthe example is pernlclous
and leads others to indulge in foolish
rivalry, when those left behind can little
afford the cost, and must suffer from the
/ Flowers are beautiful at all times, are
touching tributes to those "who have
gone out with the tide" A handful of
Violets upon the coffin of sinless babe,
little sheaf of ripened wheat upon that
of the aged, tell the entire story, and
speak to every heart; and thatis enough.
The loading down with wreathes and
crosses, and anchors and broken columns.
are simply gross vanity, vulgar show,
and ambitious pomp to excel others. In
ninety-nine cases out of every hundred
love does not prompt the expenditure
and the very abundance makes mock
erv of death. The dead should be
respected and remembered; that is a
holy duty but it is not by flowers that
soon will wither it should be done. A
more lasting memorial is to be found in
| the heart, and reckless extravaganza
simply to create wonder and envy is
next to insult. -
The matter has grown into formidable
proportions, to ruinous cost, and 1t is
high time there should be some check.
Funerals, especially in cities, as now
managed, are more for the living than
: the dead, and sorrow is swallowed up in
miserable and selfish display. Even if
, the expense was not lin the majority of
/ instances) little, if any, better than
lrobbing those who remain behind, yet q
profusion of flowers reveal want of
, taste, and the effort to keep up" with
J others should be condemned.
We have outgrown the stern simplicity
of the funerals of our fathers. Then
: there was nothing to mar the carrying
t away of the dead; nothing to detrac1
the mind from the lessons taught. Now
all is flowers and silvered caskets, ane
plumed hearses, and a seeking aftel
i, notoriety that is fatal to tears. Truly
\ such things are but the "trappings ane
the ponp of VICE." and it will be wei
$ for us when they are abolished, and ",
j. again give to the dead their due respect
: and not waste their substance in riotou
display and momentary charm, to tn
It deafening of the ear and the debasemen
of the heart, -