The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-07-31
Funeral Extravaganza.

Funeral Extravaganza.
"There is one source of extravagance
characteristic, especially among poor
people, in this country against which 1
beg leave to protest" remarked a
prominent undertaken the other day,
"and that is in burying friends. 1t is
purely the outgrowth of a custom which
should be renowned. An undertaker's
account is the last to be settled.
Like a physician, his services are gov
erned by circumstances. We are sup
posed to be at the disposal of whoever
calls upon us, regardless of any doubts
that we may have concerning the re-
Enumeration. The undertaken, who is
responsible for the carriages, frequently
presents claims which are ignored in
consequence of the extent to which it is
carried.
"a gentleman came to me to arrange
for the interment of his daughter. The
father desired rites beftting one in the
position she occupied, and though he
felt that she could not be too highly
honored he had no extravaganza notions.
The burial robe and other outfit were
selected with an eye for taste and ap-
p~ropriateness to make lovely in death
the form which was beautiful when
living. When I asked him what car
riages would be needed he reflected for
a moment and replied:
"'Weli, there are seven in myfamily
and-of course my wife's and my PEG.
pie will go to the cemetery; that will
require seven carriages. There are her
classmates, who have expressed a desire
to accompany the remains to the grave;
they will occupy two carriages. The
Sunday-school teacher and family in
another and two more are expected by
Mrs. So-and-so and This-and-that's
families, who have kindly watched at
the sick bed. They were saying to my
wife that they would like to see the girl
properly buried. That makes twelve
in all, doesn't it."
afterwards he remembered the
girls music teacher and friend, who
had sent in their names. Thirteen car
riages, at two o'clock in the afternoon,
would cost ordinarily no less than eight
dollars each. / got one dollar off on
each, saving him more than two-thirds
his weeks salary. Four of the girls
intimate friends over term subsequently
desired to be counted in, and when the
last advices came from the country in
the morning prior to the ceremonies, it
was learned that two condoling uncles,
aunts and families would be present.
Sixteen carriages in all, at seven dol
lars apiece, for a man on eighteen dol
lars a week. Thus the item for car
riages mounted up to over six weeks
salary. The other expenses reached
seventy dollars tribe more. Only
two-thirds as much paid for actual
burial as that to carry others t see it.
Ordinarily it might have been a
small matter. But thirty days after.
wards he came to me and expressed
deep chagrin at being compelled
to ask me to wait another month.
The long illness of his daughter
had drained his earnings, carefully laid
aside, and his loss of time, mourning
expenses for the family, all very neces-
sary, together with the entertainment
of bereaved relatives at his house had
placed him in Strengthened circum-
stances. For a time, he said, his
household arrangements would be con
Quoted on parsimonious principles;
at least until he had paid me up, which
he did after three months time.
what is your remedyP" asked the
reporter.
..Agitation. Show up the absurdity
and it will gradually bring about its
own reform. How much better would
private burial services suit many who
do not like their grief paraded in the
presence of staringfriends outside of the
family. A gradual t%endencyin that di'
rection is becoming noticeable already.
The last respects are being paid at the
house by all except the close family con.
nections. Outside of any %.pecuniary
relation to the question l am sure peo
pie generally will indorse my senti
ments."
The reporter, continuing his investi
cations among tenement-house occu
pants, found two undertakers in Null
berry and Baxter Streets who carry or
a lucrative business among the Italians
Not, as mi would suppose, in the plain
pine box carried away from their novels
in a springless wagon, but in a GLOSSY
black hearse, drawn by melted steed!
and followed by from two to five car
riages.
"How do the Italians afford theil
dead such accommodations" was asked
of the Mulberry Street undertaken.
because a whole tenement-houst
colony contribute towards it, each on,
paving his share. They are the hes
class to bury because they require littl'
time, and though getting the under
takers services and the carriages a lit
tie cheaper. the money is prompt.
paid. Their funerals are invariably sci
down for the morning, an unusual tim
for ~obsequies, and when carriages can b.
had with the least probability of losing
other jobs. The total investment OF
such occasions is from $50 to $70or $50
Occasionally I am asked to wait for m,
pay, but 1 always get it. l haven't los
a cent among the Italians"
"You have been told Just as it is,
said the Baxter Street undertaken, whel
asked for his testimony. I have BEEF
burying Italians in this neighborhoo,
for twenty years, and 1 haven't lost
dollar among them. Each one pay
his way. The procession W stop
at a. roadhouse for refreshments, an
the charge is lighter. 1 have had
funeral for which / got as high as $75.
Across the block in Mott Street
thrifty business is carried on by a n I'm
dertaker, who occupies a substantia
threc-story brick building. His revenu
comes from burying the Chinese, who
he says, contrary to general reports
are not as a rule returned to the Ian
of their birth. The Chinese Consul nc
long ago purchased a separate plot i
one of the cemeteries, where most G
his heather countrymen are now buried
In regard to pay, this undertaker's eS
perience with the Chinaman is the sam
as others with the Italians.
.sThey alice payee jest samee, adde
he with a laugh. And Judging fror
appearances he too %prospered in tina
following.-N. Y. World.