The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-08-02
Funeral Extravaganza.

prominent undertaken the other day,
land that is in burying friends. 1t is
purely the outgrowth of 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 BETTING one in the
position she occupied, and though he
felt that she could not be too highly
honored he had no extravaganza notions.
The bHriai robe and other outfit were
selected with an eye for taste and ap-
propriateness 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 my wife's and my peo-
pie will 90 to the cemetery; that will
require seven carriages. There are her
classmates, who have expressed 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."
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 twe-thirds
his weeks salary. -Four OF the girls
intimate friends over term subsequently
desired to be counted in, and when the
last adyices came from the coNntry 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--a trihe more. Only
two-t thirds as much paid for actual
burial as that to carry others to see it.
Ordinarily it might have been q
small matter. But thirty days after
wards he came to me and expressed
deep chagrin at being compehed
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 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 staring friends outside of the
family. A gradual tendency in 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 on
a lucrative business among the Italians.
Not, as one would suppose, in the plain,
pine box carried away from their novels
in springlesS wagon, but in a glossy
black hearse, drawn by melted steeds
and followed by from two to five car
riages.
''How do the Italians afford their
dead such accommodations? was asked
of the Mulberry Street undertaken.
because whole tenement-house
colony contribute towards it, each one
paying his share. They are the best
class to bury because they require little
time, and though getting the under
takers services and the carriages 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 on
such occasions is from $50 to $50 or $50.
Occasionally am asked to wait for my
pay, but | always get it. l haven't lost
a cent among the Italians"
"You have been told just as it is"
said the Baxter Street undertaken, when
asked for his testimony. ! have been
burying Italians in this neighborhood
for twenty years, and l haven't lost a
dollar among them. Each one pays
his way. The procession never stops
at roadhouse for refreshments, and
the charge is lighter. have had a
funeral for which l got as high as $50. "
Across the block in Mott Street q
thrifty business is carried on by an I'M
dertaker, who occupies a substantial
three-story brick building. His revenue
Ia,