The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-21
REFORMS IN FUNERALS.
Report Of Committee ON Conducting the
acrxfcea.

Services.
At the last meeting Of the kichnonv
branch of the Evangelical Alliance, COM
pozod Of ministers. officers and members oi
the Protestant churches OF the clty' nero 'h
the rooms of the Young Mems CHRISTIAN ~
sOciatiOn, the subject OF reforms IN iuh'.a,7
was discussed. 4 committee was appoint
ed 10 dram n paper relating TO some changes
nroposed in the mode Of conducting nun
erals The committee consists OF Rev. ITS
Newton, Mosor Hatcher and Cutler, win
Rev. DIR. HOge as the chairman, and the re-
port adopted is ~ follows;
1 Astothe Proper Time for Holding Fun
efnl Services No Hxcd rule can determine
the proper day OF the week for such solemn
/ tie. This must be regulated by circum-
/ stances over which those mOstlntefektedoltt n
/ have no control Eut whenever practcaDie
/ IL Is desirable that they should he hcld on
some other day than the SaDDath. lot iess'''n
80 obvious that they need not be specihsg,
2 Funeral Sermons and Addresses mere
again, no percmptOfy rule can De anopi'u'
| Different churches have their own tiaalilons'
| sentiments and customs IN TINS respect
| There are occasions when the emotion OF sor-
row Is so profound and universal IN the com q
| muuitv as 10 demand the relief when CONES
/ from some expression OF IL. as When dle'ih
! Vuteho1 Christian soldier. statesman OF pm
! ionfhrouief is taken away, and wnen the
| great lessons Of the life Of the depart Dl
common consent, may be enforced IN tie pun
pit But 70 is safe TO say thnt me culllNaltu
moral sense Of the community Is less anu less
la symunfhv with funeral discourscs.
The Psalms and portions OF scripture Whlch
are ordinarily read or sung on such occasions,
expressive Of the shoriness ana uncertainty
/ az life cannot be made more Impressive hN
amy words OF man. and the sublime lessons
Inn the 18th chapter Of First Corinthians on
the resurrection and the life immortal need
not be supplemented by any human pfesehta-
"a me FxnensiveneSs OF Funerals.-Hcre
an Will probably agree that reforms are pos
siblc. practicable, and desirable. We i've a'
"a time when the dlnlculty OF obtaining en- ?
DlOymcnt Is Increasing. Win the lncic"at vi
| formulation. ana Of mOnOpiicS when make
the rich richer and the poor poorer. iiee
proportion OF the people are ln sifaltthtu
/ circumstances a man may ordinarily ittu-
late his household expenses according 10 DIS
means OF living but he finds this ptiVileg
taken away whom "a death occurs I'm the laln-
liy because Of the prevailing custom, rs 'ch
demands such costly preparations lot thc
funeral. Many a family Is slraltehei TOT
/ months after the funeral for the means OF
supporting the living. because OF the amount
extended in burying the dead.
This could be best corrected II tue ilch
would set the example of as much economy
in funeral expenses as Us consistent with the
respect and love they cherish for the depart -
ed and 10 is not beyond the province OF iht
pulpit 10 urge a dimnution Of eNtfaNa-
CANT display at time which speaks 80 nm D.,
pressively Oftho emptiness ana vanity OF ull
that is seen and temporal.
4. Covering the Face OF the Dead inc
coffin which onclOscs the icmains Of the de-
ceased should be closed before the assem-
bling Of the company which gathers di the
funeral survice The last look and the leave
taking should be in private, and the friends
I'm attendance should not be subjected 10 the
pain Of Witnessing tho scenes which 80 OFTEN
occur at these sad iareWells.
Natural sensitivcness on the part Of the be-
ieayod and proper regard ioi the ieeilngs o
spectators wouid seem 10 euHsest tilo ~ ,
nroprioty of yelling from public observation
AN that passes al n moment so dehcately
personal and sacred.
5. Exposure at the Grave.-Since funerals
must occur at all seasons OF the year. ano
often when the weather is most Indictment
the question arises. how can dangerous expo
sure be best avoided.
ito stand with uncovered head for quarter
OF half an hour on the wet ground, pOsslb,
amidst rain and sleet and bitter wind, sub
iecfs the officiating clergyman and friends oil
the deceased 20 unnecessary discomfort ano
danger.
who would, in all probability, still be among
the living but for such disregard Of the nat
ural laws Of life. 10 may De suggested
therefore, that after the religious services are
concluded. when the weather Is Indictment
the company may retire. only those remain
ing whose duty and desire 10 is 10 see tho In
! tcfmeht properly conducted; that the iadle'
remain In their carriages. and that none Vii
De expected 20 stand with uncovered heads
in wintry storms after the prayers are ended
nor even during the prayers 10 age or im
trinity Of any kind makes such exposure
hazardous.
These are some Of the suggestions which
. your committee make with great respect amt
! Difference for the customs, preferences ant
lOpiniOns of others.
| Your committee has no authority to COM
init the alliance 20 any Of the changes pro-
posed The subject is q difficult and delicate
one. and everything like diciatOn Is mad
missaOle. only by conference. by muiua
agreement, by harmony Of feeling and action
can reforms Ina funerals be accomplished
MOsEs ID. liOGE, Chairman.
This report will be presented tonight at q
meeting TO be held at Grace-streot Baptist
Church.