Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-08
FOR CHEAPER FUNERALS,

| An Iowa Clergyman Points Out tho No- l cessity for Reform.
 Rev. w. w. Gist, of Marion, la., in an
 article in the Western Advance on stRe-
 forms in Funerals" says:
 l The time has certainly come when there
 should be radical reform in conducting
 funerals. Nearly every one admits the
 break away from conventionalities of the day.
 In most places there should be 8 reform
 ln the matter of funeral expenses. These are often burden. Too frequently the l undertaken is exorbitant in his charges The blame can not always be laid at his door. however. Sometimes friends almost forget their duty to the living in their de- sire to do homage to the dead. They have upon themselves burden that they are not able to bear. A laboring man went to purchase casket for his dead boy. The undertaken showed him one costing $35 The man was not satisfied and selected one that cost $1OO, though he had no means to pay for it except as be earned it by days labor.
 In an Eastern city an undertaken pre- sented bill of $447. .25 against the estate of servant girl Payment was refused and suit was instituted. The court decided that such bill might be proper against wealthy man. but not against one in mod crate circumstances. The claimant pleaded that he furnished only what was ordered The court held that it was his duty to ac- quaint himself with the financial condition of the one he was serving This evil has become so great that in some cities funeral reform associations have been organized for the purpose of reducing expenses The members of the association pledge them selves not to purchase a casket costing more than $25. There should be far less display even of flowers, though they are most appropriate for such occasions.
 NO one should feel that custom requires the wearing of mourning. In many in stances the reclothing of whole family in black involves labor and an expense out or all proportion to what the family can we'll afford.
 And then, if we are Christians, why should we clothe ourselves in black, as though Christ had not risen from the dead and glo- rifed the gravel
 No custom should prevail that in any manner endangers the lives of others. This fact is recognized when one dles from con- taglous disease and pubic funerals are pro- hlbited. The dead are not dishonored by this custom. Perhaps moro deaths occur from exposure at funerals than from bury ing those who have died from contagious diseases What is the general customa The
 
 must go to the cemetery in order to pay proper respect to the loved ones. Many times they are old, feeble and frail in health. The weather is stormy or so cold that no one can be out of doors with con- fort, and yet the friends in most places must endure the exposure because it was the custom. Years ago it was the custom in many rural communities for the friends to waituntil 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 is damp or dis agreeable the male members only of the family should go to the cemetery, and only such Of those as are well and rugged.
 Again, custom should not require the pall- l bearers, undertaken, minister or any one | else to uncover his head at the grave when | the weather is such as to make it unsafe. | Sometimes the pall-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 exer | cises, so as to endanger their lives.