The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-09-15
REFORMS ~ FUNERALS.
By REV. ". W. Gisr.

By REV. W. W. Gisr
Tie time has certainly come when
there should be a radical reform
in conducting funerals. Nearly
every one admits the fact, but only a
few have the courage to break away
from the conventionalitcs Of the day
10 most places there should be le-
form in the matter Of funeral expenses.
These are often a burden. Too fire.
quenty the undertaken is exhorbitaut
in his charges. The blame cannot al.
WAYS be laid at his door. however
Some times friends almost forget their
duty to the living in their desire to do
homage to the dead. They take upon
themselves a burden that they are not
able to bear A laboring man went TEL
purchase a casket for his dead boy.
The undertaken showed him one costing
$50. The man was not satisied and se-
lected one that cost SlC). though he
had 10 means to pay for il except as he
earned it by bis day = labor.
In an Eastern city an undertaken pre-
seuted bill of ,4f7.2j against the es-
tate of a servant glrl. Payment was
refused and suit VAS instituted. The
court decided that such a bill might be
proper against a wealthy man. but not
against one in moderate circumstances.
The claimant pleaded that he furnished
only what was ordered. The court held
that it was hi, duty to acqu1iut himself
with the financial condition Of the ore
he was serving. This evil has become
so great that in some cities funeral re-
form associations have been organized
for the purpose Of reducing expenses.
The members of the association pledge
Themselves not to purchase a casket
costing more than S2j. There should
be far less display even Of flowers,
though they are most appropriate for
such occasions.
NJ one should feel th.t custom re-
qures the wearing Of mourning. In
many instances the reclothng Of a
whole family ia black, involves a labor
aud an expense out If all proportion to
what the family can we'll afford. And
then if we are Christians. Why should
we cloiho ourselves in black q, though
Christ had not rissn from the dead and
gloriiied the grave
No custom should prevail that in any
manner endangers the lives Of others.
This fact is recognized when one dies
from a contagious disease and public
funerals are prohibited. The dead are
not dishonored by this custom. Per
haps more deaths occur from exposure
at funerals than from burying tho e
who have died from cOntagiOns dis
eases. What is the general custom The
relatives and near friends feel that they
must 20 to the cemetery in order t.
pay proper respsc.s to their lowell ones
Many times they a.e old.
feeble, and frail IN health. The
weather is stormy or so cold that no one
can be out Of doors with comfort. and
yet the friends in most piac IS must en-
dure the exposure because it was tie
custom. Years ago it is the custom IN
many rural communities for the friends
10 wait until they saw the grave filled
up Fortunately this custom has
passed away. and the dead are just as
truly honored as before When the
weather j. damp or di-agreeable the
male members only Of the family should
20 TO the cemetery. and only SUCH of
those as are well and rugged.
Again. custom should not require the
pall-beareis. undertaken, minister, or
any one else to uncover his head at the
grave when the weather Is such rs To
make it unsafe. Sometimes the pail
bearers are all men from sixty to seventy
years old. Some of them are frail. The
weather is exceedingly cold, and yet
they stand with uncovered heads at the
grave during the closing exercises 30 as
u eldanger their lives.
There should also be reform in
viewing the face Of the deceased. Gen
orally the funeral service should be
held at the residence. 1t il seems lest
To hold 1t at the church, the Intimate
friends should view the remains at the
house. la most cases at least, the cas-
ket should moi be opened al The church.
Sunday funerals should be discour-
aged. There are certain times when II
may be more convenient To bury on that
day than on any other. but these are
rare. The friends must decide that
question themselves, though 1t Is proper
10 consult the convenience Of the minis
Ter. have had to drive nearly twenty
five miles on the Sabbath and preach
three times. including the funeral dis
course. No one should object to this
when it Is necessary. Ia most cases 1t
is not necessary.
By all means let US be true TO the
dead. Let Us not in trying to be tue
to the dead be untrue TO the living.
Sim plicity in the fullest sense ought to
characterize all funeral services.
: OTHER Ny FELLOU-LABORERS.m "
In one OF his letters from his Roman
prison st. Paul has kindly reference
to certain persons, old friends, whose