Morning journal and courier., 1891-12-22
ADVICE TO UNDRRTAKERs.
Their Duties Made the Subject of .
 Sermon by a Kansas City Pastor.

Aheir Dut1es made the Subject Of a
 sermon by Kansas City Pastor.
 EFrom the Kansas City TimesJ
 At the Dundee Place NJ. E. Church yes day the Rev. M. H. Resse, pastor, preached on ''The Conduct of and the Conduct at Funerals. Relative to undertakers be said:
 ''At meeting of the Funeral Directors association of Missouri, held in this city re- gently. listened to the response to the ad- dress of welcome, which response was giv- en by director evidently from the coun- try, and yet he presented some good ideas. He said: The day has gone by when fun eral director is acceptable if he knows nothing more than how to nail handles on a coffin. In these days funeral director must know something of anatomy.' If could have responded to him would have said: The day has gone by when the funer- al directer who knows nothing about the method of arranging the body for burial is acceptable. Undertaksrs have taken the name of funeral directors. A funeral di- rector is one who directs & funeral. By taking this name these men would have it understood that it is their important work to direct funerals; and yet presume great many people are licensed for this business who have no knowledge of the proprieties that should attend it-men who have little refinement of feeling and 90 few qualifications for the business.
 Funeral directors are a neglected class. There seems to be no discussion of the principal which would likely assist them in their work as men of other institutions are assisted, and yet the work of the funeral directors is very important. They come into the home in its most sacred hour. It seems to me that there should be & school for funeral directors, and none should he admitted to practice that profession but those who are graduated from and licensed by such school. There is one suggestion would like to make in this connection, and that is-the undertaker's business is of such character that st should be concealed as much as possible. The undertaken should be seen and not heard. and he should not be seen oftener than necessary. The same spirit that covers over the heap of dirt and bnries the sod on the grave with twigs of evergrsens should govern in this matter. The best funeral director I ever knew was a very quiet man, and nobody scarcely knew he was about, and yet the business, was like clockw work knew au- other funeral director would often ask the privilege of reading hymn, and was very glad when it happened that no minister was present, for that would give him sn opportunity to make some remarks IhAye heard in this city an undertaken giving or ders at funeral in loud voice, ss though he were a major-general commanding in battle. Such a man is entirely unfit for & funeral director, for he has uo knowledge of the propri-ties of the occasion" I"
 The Rev. MT Reese addressed the follow ing 10 those who make arrangements for funerals:
 Don't let the preacher know that his services are to be required until the last moment. Inform the neighbors, telegraph to friends in other states, but keep the matter a secret from the preacher. If he be . man who keeps his engagements and they come and demand him to attend the funeral that will give somebody a chance to say he is pretty preacher, who refuses to attend funerals
 Hire all the h cks you can get. Never mind the day, Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof Liverymen..should not be mercenary on such occasions ss this- Ar range for the relatives to take leave of the dead after the crowd has gathered. Sorrow | is not sacred and should be exhibited as much as possible. Leave could be taken in the quiet of the home without the pres sence of prying eyes and cara. And the more ignorant are the people the greater demonstration that will likely be made. Go late to the funeral People won't know you are there if you go on time and do not disturb the services. Let Mrs. A come in five minutes after the service have be- gun; and by the time things have quieted down let Mrs. B. come in. It's only fun eral and no matter about the services
 Gather in all the children in the neigh borhood by all means. They so much Ap- preciate such a service and are usually such a help to it. Tine other day at fun eral held in 6 small hous- there were five infants in arms When one grew tired another was ready to lelp in the services. Be sure to be on hand when the relatives take leave of their dead, if they have not taken such leave before. Do not miss that The funeral director may not know enough to let tho people pass out an.i close the door, so crowd in, and if you happen to be on the outside put your head in at the win dow, and your morbid curiosity will prob ably be satisfied" :"