The morning call., 1892-09-24
Dying IS TOO COSTLY.
Ministers Plead for Cheaper
Funerals.
OUR SEMI.PAGAN CUSTOM.
Rev. J. O. A. Henry Tells "Call" Han He
Thinks Black Mourning Gods
Should Go.
OUR SEMI.PAGAN CUSTOM.

walking around to save funeral expenses
unconsciously EN- bodied a great truth in q
very grim witticism.
The undertaken who, after going to the
expense of purchasing a handsome new
hearse, complained that nobody wanted to
ride in 1t was. however. only about half
right when he uttered his jest.
There are a good many people in San
Francisco who think they can practice
economy by walking around to save funeral
expenses.
But there are great many others who
act as though they believe that ride in
handsome new hearse Is the greatest epoch
in their lives, to use a Hibernicism.
Extravaganza in funeral expenses Is said
to be one of the most serious evils of the
times.
Clergymen, who. as a class, are well quail
fed to form correct opinions as to this form
of prodigality, have not been at all back
ward in expressing their views
From the pulpit of both Catholic and
Protestant churches earne est appeals have
frequently been made for funeral reform.
Rev. W. +. Smith said that modern fune-
rails are too expensive; that simplicity IS
the exception and show IS the rule; that Ii
is cheaper to live than il Is TO die, as it now
port one for year.
The reverend gentleman further said that
II some OF the dead could speak they would
loudly protest against much of the hollow
show Of our modern funerals.
Among the various forms of funeral ex-
trayagance which he vigorously and elo-
quentiy denounced are those represented
by mourning apparel, floral displays. costly
burial easketS and long strings Of carriages.
Rev. J. Q. a. Henry. pastor of the First
Baptist Church, was asked yesterday by a
CALL reporter what were the principal
items Of prnfligate expenditure in the burial
of the dead?
Re answered, Mourning apparel, cas-
kets, flowers and carriages"
Are the people OF San Francisco more
extravagant in their funerals than the
people Of other cities 2" lac wa. asked.
The extravaganza is general through
out the whole country, but l never saw
place where there is so much eXtrayagant
display in the burial of the dead as l End
here in San Francisco"
Mr. Henry depl0red the tyranny of the
custom of wearing black as a symbol of
grief.
1t was a custom. he said, of Pagan origin.
There WAS nothing Christian about it and
no authority could be found in the Bible
for wearing black.
The outlay that women had to make for
crepe and mourning goods was something
appalling.
The money that many poor widows needed
for themselves and their little ones they
felt obliged in Difference TO a stupid and
senseless custom TO pay out for black fab
rics, as though any color of garment could
really express the grief or bereavement of
the wearer.
The item of caskets. in Mr.. Henry's opin-
ion, was another point 10 which their was
urgent need of reform. Bnral caskets on
this coast came much higher than they did
In the East.
THE fact is" remarked Mr.. Henry, "a
Christian burial should be severely simple
and all tTapplngs and ostentati0ns over the
dead ought to be avoided.
There are two considerations involved
in dealing with this question OF decorous
funerals.
Gone is social and the other financial
There are many people who are rich enough
to stand the tax of a costly funeral IN all its
aspects and whose social position may exact
something of the sort.
There are, on the other hand. many who
move in high social position. but whose
means are not adequate TO meet the expense
OF 4 snowy and costly funeral.
I'm the case OF these people my opinion Is
the funeral should be conducted according
TO and within their means"
hIT. Henry referred to carriages as bur-
deHsome expense to many people, who con Ia
i'll afford the luxury. Carriages should be
OF the bereaved family.
The gentleman referred to a class OF
munOmaniacs who make ii a practice 10 at
tend all funerals for the purpose alone Of
prying into the houses OF stricken people
and to enjoy free ride TO the cemeteries.
1T would surprise YOU" lie added, "if
you kn ew how many OF this class there are
IN san Francisco"
An undertaken who was asked about ex-
pensiye funerals began to show his wares.
Here's a beautiful white plush covered
caSEet. Just the thing for young lady," he
said, pointing 10 one iGclosed in large
glass case. That costs about S125"
Next he exhibited, also in a glass case, a
large casket covered with fine black broad
cloth, with gold washed handles and trim
mings.
That's for a gentleman" he said. ut
is the latest style Of modern casket. Look
at the inset triangular column on the cor
ners. Now, is that artistic? We have
them also with two spiral columns on each
corner covered with satin. II you are
thinking of buying one you will do well to
consult MS early. The price of these is
from $3.50 to $500 each. Here is one with a
chestnut shell. improved top and draped
with chenille fringe and rosetles."
AS the undertaken grew eloquent his
round, fat face fairly beamed with pride.
Let me show YOU" he said, ''the hand
soonest burial receptacle made 10 the United
States. That casket is made of rolled steel
1t is air and water tight. The panel on the
lid is full-length beveed plate glass. The
name plate is Of solid coin silver. Now,
call that tasty Some Of the most noted
statesmen in The East have been incased in
these metallic caskets. The price is $500
spot cash"
"But want to see something within an
ordinary mans MEANS" appealed the re-
porter.
Then the undertaken opened sundry lock-
ers and showed great number OF baskets
from $50 up TO $50, all OF them nicely
vanished, mounted and trimmed, in which
millionaire could sleep as quietly as be
could in a box of gold.
Going into details, the undertaken said
that the cost Of good funeral was SIS, the
sum that the benevolent societies generally
paid. This sum included the casket, hearse,
two carriages, advertising, the burial lot
and opening and closing the grave. There
were, Of course, extras. the cost OF which
increased the expense OF a funeral where
people ordered them. Many lavished money
on fancy burial robes.
I'm this age of STYLE" he remarked "the
frivolous demands of Dame Fashion do not
stop at the grave. but follow the departed
beidg even into It's gloomy depths. There
are fashions in shrOuds and grave clothes,
and | know Of one colOred woman who calls
herself fashionable shroudmaker."
Then he spoke OF attendants at funerals,
neatly dressed men in black who carried
the casket. while the honorary palbenrers
followed or preceded the remains. Their
services had to be paid for.
Embaming was another item of expense,
the charge for which was from 81 to So
Ordinary burial robes in stock cost about
S12 for gentlemen and IS for ladies. Peo-
pie, he said, paid out a great deal of money
for funerals with which the undertakers
bad nothing TO do For every extra car
riage the charge was "a Sometimes two or
three express wagons loaded with flowers
would be seen bringing up the rear OF cor
tege.
The florists keep a sharp eye out for bust
ness as soon as there Is mourning in a
household.
What is the cheapest funeral you gve?"
was the last inquiry.
The undertaken scratched his head for a
moment. Then he sad
The cheapest funeral here. comes to