The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-11
ADVISING REFORMS.
Some Changes Suggested in the Conduct
OF Funerals by a Number of City
Ministers.

A meeting Of the ministers of the city was
held at the Central Christian Church yesterday
afternoon for tho purpose Of joining, after a
thorough discussion OF the matter, in the recon-
mendation OF certain reforms in customs of
funerals, After comforting informally with Mr..
Whitsett, of the firm of KreSelolN Wbitsett, re-
presenting the funeral directors, relative to the
practlcability and consistency OF some of the
proposed reforms, the meeting was called TO
order, and Rev, H. C. Mabe was
chosen Chairman, with Rev. ]. Fl.
DoddridGe as secretary. Among the
the clergymen of the city who were present
were Revs. Mitchell, Mabie, Walk, Doddridge,
Raymond, Wells, Abbott, Collins, Bright, Moore,
Rawls, Asbury and Neighbor.
committee OF three, consisting of Revs.
Mitchell. Wells and Walk was appointed 10 pre-
pare report making recommendations embody-
ing the sentiments of the meeting. These rec
concentrations To the public, as adopted, were
as follows:
Your committee would respectfully report as
follows:
"FIrst-It is the sense Of this meeting that, MS
Tar as possible, funeral services should not be
held on the Sabbath day, as it not only inter
feres with the established order of services In
our various churches, but 1T also devolves TOO
much work on the minister and on the assistant
funeral directors.
'Second-We call the attention of the public
to the great burden imposed upon the ministry
by requiring their attendance at the cemetery.
"lhlrd-IhaJ we recommend that rs Tar as
consistent, the funeral servlcaS he held at the
residence, and that the funeral be as nearly pri-
Yate as possible.
''Fourth-We recommend that families and
friends shall take leave of the dead in private,
and that there be no public exhibition of the re-
mains.
'Fltth-We are we'll aware of the uu ecrssary
ana useless expense imposed upon the public h "
the present customs OF society. For the relief of
me Irlehos we recommend that the funeral serv-
ices he held on one day and the burial be private
ana at a subsequent time"
IN the discussion it was stated that the object
of the recommendation is TO educate the public
palnd, ann they are not 10 be understood
declaration by the ministers that they viii rot
DO certain things.
In the information which was elected from Mr.
WhltSetU II was shown that where funerals are
held privately the cost is reduced al least one
thlrd In the prevailing funeral customs there
is much that is burdensome, it was claimed, and
the public desires reform Which Will give re-
Het. Another matter which was deprecated by
the ministers was the custom OF exhibiting the
remains of the deceased. SIT is usually the sig
nal" one OF the speakers stated, ''fOr IL general
howl and this great ado over the life
less remains is very objectionable
The family or friends may pay
tribute to those who precious TO them If
they desire, but there is an objection to having
the dead g1zed at by crowd which has no in
terest." The custom of requiring the attend
anee OF the minister at tile burial was also OBJ
Jected TO- because unnecessary,
1t was decided to hold another meeting when
ever called by the chairman.
recommendation was also adOpted fixing
the time Tor beginning religious services on Sun
day evening at O'Clock.