The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-31
Funeral Extrava gance.

There is one source OF extravaganza
characteristic, especially among poor
people, in this country against which
beg leave to protest, remarked a
prominent undertaken the other day,
''and that is in burying friends. 1t is
purely the outgrowth of custom which
should be renowned. An undertaker's
account is the last 10 be settled.
Like physician, his services are gov
crned 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-
muneratiOR- 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 BETTING one in the
position she occupied, and though he
felt that she could not Be too highly
honored he had no eXtrava giant notions.
The burial robe and other outfit were
selected with an eve for taste and Sp-
preparedness to make lovely in death
the form which was beautiful when
living. When asked him what car
riages would be needed he reflected for
q moment and replied:
.''Weli, there are seven in my family
and-Of course nv wife's and nay peO
pie will 90 to the cemetery: that vii
require seven carriages. There are her
classmates, who have expressed desire
to accompany the remains TO the grave;
they will occupy two carriages. The
Sandag-Scaooi teacher and family IN
another AMI two more are eXDe ted by
MRS. So-and-se and Th;S-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
hal sent in their names. Thirteen car
RIGGS, at two o'clock in the afternoon,
would cost ordinarily no less than eight
dollars each. | got one dollar oil 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 atviceS came from the country in
the morning prior to the ceremonies, II
was learned that two condoiing uncles,
aunts and families would be present.
Sixteen carriag res in AL, 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
of
seventy dollars-a tribe more. Only
two-thirds as much paid for actual
burial as that to carry others TO 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 ia 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.
s.What is your remedy?" asked the
reporter.
t.Agitation. Show ND the absurdity
and it will gradually bring about it
own reform. How much better would
private burial services suit many who
do not like their grief paraded in the
presence Of staring friends outside Of the
family. A gradual tendency in that di-
rcction is becoming noticeable already.
The last respects are being paid ut the
house by all eX@ept the close family con
nectioms. Outside of any pecuniary
relation to the question am sure PEG.
pie generally viii indor,e my >enti-
| mentS.'
The reporter. continuing his inveSti-
cations among tenement-hOuse sccu.
pants. found two undertakers in Null,
berry and Baxter Streets who carry on
a lucrative business among the Italians.
Not, rs one would suppose, in the plain,
pine box carried away from their novels
in springless wagon, but in Il glossy
black hearse. drawn BY mettled steeds
and followed by from two to five car,
riageS.
..fIow do the Italians afford theii
dead such accommodations" was asked
of the Mulberry Street undertaken.
because Il whole tenement house
COLONY contribute towards it. each one
paving his share. They are the best
class to bury because they require little
time, and though getting the under
takers services and the carriages a lit
tie cheaper, the money is promptly
paid. Their funerals are invariably set
down for the morning. an unusual time
for Obsequies, and when carriages can be
had with the least probability of losing
other jobs. The total investment or
such occasions is from $50 to so or $50
Occasionally | am asked to wait for my
pay, but always get it. | haven't los
cent among the Italians.
You have been told Just as it is,
said the Baxter street undertaken, wher
asked for his testimony. l have beer
burviug Italians 10 this neighbOrboot
for twenty years. aud ! haven't lost 6
dollar among them Each one pays
his way. The procession never stops
at a roadhOuse for refreshments, anC
the charge is lighter l have had 9
funeral for which l got as high as S75. >
Across the block in Mott Street 6
thrifty business is carried on by an I'M
dertaker, who occupies a substantial
thEee-story brick building. His revenue
comes from burying the Chinese. who,
he says, contrary to general reports,
are not asa rule returned TO the LAND
of their birth The Chinese Consul no
long ago purchased a separate plot il
one of the cemeteries. where most o..
his heather esuntrymen are now buried.
In regard to pay. this undertaker's ex.