Wichita eagle., 1886-12-07
UNDERTAkERS WAYS.
WHAT ONE OF THEM SAYS OF HIS
BUSINESS AND ITS PROFITS.

People Who are Fascinated by Funerals.
The Fondness for Hfortuary Respect
ability" and Notwithstanding HIoGer-
ation--An Atrocious Practice.
"The undertaking business isn't so profit
able Us many imagine" said local under
taker to a 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 z dozen other
things, all of which cost money. Carriages
are worth from s. to 81 apiece, according 10
the distance"
Don't undertakers receive commissions
from livery men!"
"IeS, but the commission is less than mOSt
people suppose. On basis Of $500 funeral
with twelve carriages at $ apiece, the under
tal,er would realize less than SO for his time
and trouble. Surely, such compensation is
not cXhorbitant."
"Do Brooklyn undertakors ever send circu-
lars to bereaved families, members OF which
are dead"
AN ATROCIOCS PRACTICE
"NOt that | know Of That practice -four
ishes to a greater or less extent in New Y orll
An undertaken who would intrude on de-
ceased mans family for the purpose of plying
his calling would, [ think, commit murder
The thought of q man sending circulars eX-
planning the nature Of his business and giving
prices IS to a refined mind atrOciOuS. Pos
sibly some Brooklyn un1ertallerS carry on
such practices in the districts inhabited by
the poor, but if 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 mcrcenary. Not 50 many years ago
undertakers were considered in the same light
with hangnen Many people have a horror
Of the profession, and would go blocks out Of
their way to avoid passing undertaKers' shops.
or late years such antipathics have ceased,
and the hiShtoned members of the profession
now call themselves funeral directors
-Did you ever know OF doctor aiding an
undertaken in securing case g was asked.
"Not exactly. Whilo | know OF 10 instance
n which q physician willfully killed patient
80 as to furn.s h an undertaken with Il case,
could name m;.ny Brooklyn doctors who
recommend certain undertal,cTs to hcreaycd
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 funerals! For
three or four years noticed that an old lady,
attired in a somewhat shabby dress, was oft-n
present at funerals of which l had charge
At first thought she might be n relative or
friend, but finally | became curious and ques-
toned her. learned that she had q mania
TO- 80 .1-,,,r
OF the funerals attended, and the list when
last sax her numbered 800
CRYING on SHORT NOTICE.
1.-THE old lady tells me that she has attended
as many Is three funerals in one dav. She
can cry at a 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
Rlouin2T is supposed to be. The mania for
attending funerals is not confined to woman
Ono man, with q round, chubby. good |
natUred face, Is = frequent visitor 10 many Of
the funerals of which have charge It has |
asomewhat dcmorahzing effect on most men !
10 attend a funeral, and is liable 10 make |
them sad and thou yhttul"
Wv hat feeling prompts people to attend |
funerals Of persons with whom they Were not |
acquainted il life
Curiosity. Many have n morbid curl !
oSity in regard to the dead and are it all |
slmes haunting uorEucs and hospitals Such /.
men flnl comfort and pleasure in attending
funerals
"Are the poo 50 lavish Is formerly in their |
expenditures in burying their doad.'
Il hardly think -. In former wears il was /
the custom of poor people, and more especial /
ly Catholics. 10 bury their dead in the most /
eNtravagant manner. l have had CHARGE Of |
funerals III which there were no less than oeO 4
carriages. Widows have often sold the beds |
from under them 10 give their husbands re |
spectacle burialS. The custom OF haviac, |
costly funerals is dying out, thanks 10 the /
efforts Of the Catholic clergy, who have for |
years denounced the practice as an injustice |
to the living. Many families. 50 poor Us to |
be hardly able 10 keep body ard soul together, !
labor night ana day to pay un3crtaker's bills /!
Tor services rendered 10 some deceased rCl2- |
tive. Among certain classes OF the Door it is /
considered a disgrace not to give ones rcla- !
tive RESPECTABLE burial When l say I re-
spectacle burial l mean funeral costing !
upward Of S2G4"-Brooklyn Eagle