Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-10-08
UNDERTAKINGS WAYS.
WHAT ONE OF THEM SAYS OF HIS
BUSINESS AND ITS PROFITS.

People Who are Fascinated by Funerals.
ability" and Display-Growing Moder-
ation-An Atrocious Practice.
sThe undertaking business isn't so profit
able as many imagine" said a local under
taker 70 q reporter. People in moderate
circumstances can't pay over $500 for a
funeral, which sum usually includes a dozen
carriages. Many funerals cost much less.
For 500 the undertaken must put the body
on ice. attend to the digging Of the grave, fur
nish camp stools, the coffin and dozen other
things, all Of which cost money. Carriages
are worth from a to 81 apiece, according to
the distance"
from livery menf
Ifes, but the commission Is less than most
people suppose. On basis of a 500 funeral,
with twelve carriages at IS apiece, the under
tsker would realize less than $50 for his time
and trouble. Surely, such compensation Is
not eIhorbitant"
-Do Brooklyn undertakers ever send circu-
lars to beresved families, members of which
are deadF'
AN ATRocIoUs PRACTICE
@Not that l know of. That practice -four
ishes to greater or less extent in New York.
An undertaken who would intrude on o de-
ceased mans family for the purpose Of plying
his calling would, l think, commit murder.
The thought Of a man sending circulars eI-
planning the nature Of his business and giving
prices is to a refined mind atrocious Pos
sibiy some Brooklyn undertakers carry on
such practices in the districts inhabited by
the poor, but il so I'm not in possession of
their names. Taken as a class, the under
takers Of Brooklyn are better than those Of
New York Certainly, they are less grasping
and mercenary. Not 30 many years ago
undertakers were considered in the same light
with hangmen- Many people have a horror
Of the profession, and would go blocks out Of
their way to avoid passing undertakers' shops.
OF late years such sntipathies have ceased,
and the hightoned members of the profession
now call themselves funeral directors."
did you ever know of a doctor aiding an
undertaken in securing case r. was asked.
Not exactly. While know Of no instance
In which physician willfully killed patient
30 as to furnish an undertaken with a case,
could name many Brooklyn doctors who
recommend certain undertakers to bereaved
families. Possibly the physicians whom /
have reference to don't receive commissions,
but the chances are that they are reimbursed
for their trouble Do you know that certain
individuals are fascinated by funeralsi For
three or four years noticed that an old lady,
attired in a somewhat shabby dress, was often
present at funerals Of which had charge
At first thought she might be relative or
friend, but finally became curious and ques-
toned her learned that she had a mania
for attending funerals. She keeps a record
OF the funerals attended, and the list when
last saw her numbered 150.
CRYING ON SHORT NOTICE
The old lady tells me that she has attended
as many as three funerals in ono day. She
can cry at q moments notice, and usually
sheds tears when at the funeral Of a young
girl. The queer individual under notice
comes very near what the professional
mourner is supposed to be. The mania for
attending funerals is not confined to woman.
One man, with a round, chubby, good
natured face Is a frequent visitor to many Of
the funerals Of which have charge. 1t has
q somewhat demoralizing effect on most men
to attend funeral, and is liable to make
them sad and thoughtful"
"What feeling prompts people to attend
funerals OF persons with whom they were not
acquainted in lifefn
Curiosity. Many have a morbid curl
osity In regard TO the dead and are at all
times haunting morgues and hospitals Such
men find comfort and pleasure in attending
funerals
Are the poor so lavish as formerly in their
expenditures in burying their deadr
Il hardly think so. In former years it was
the custom of poor people, and more especial