St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-21
FUNERAL CUSTOMS.

A ministerial association in Chicago
has undertaken to introduce certain re-
forms in the conduct of funerals in its
sphere, with view to uniformity and
the promotion of methods that seem to
priety. These are the chief points
it makes:
That there be, ordinarily, no public invita-
ton to the funeral services.
That no funeral be held Sunday when it is
possible to avoid it.
That attending friends view the remains, if
at all, as they enter, and that the casket be
closed Immediately upon the conclusion Of
the services.
That service is ordinarily complete which
consists simply of the reading of Scripture
selections and prayer, and that it may be
properly concluded at the house, without any
addition at the grave.
That only such persons accompany the
remains to the grave as may be personally
requested to do so.
That needless expense, whether OF car
riages, flowers or other matters, be avoided
That in view of their multiplied and often
exacting ministerial engagements pastors be
not requested to go to the cemetery
1dt IL DC ICluCluUSISQ ludL OuTlhlldu SeQLl-
ment is not in accord with the practice, to
which some have felt constrained to con-
form, of adopting heavy mourning costumes
after the death of friends.
Most of these points are worth being
considered. The practice in cities on
such occasions involves an expense that
is often burdensome. The religious ex-
ercises can very properly be concluded
at the house. The uncovering of the
head at the grave is often attended with
danger to the health. Cases are numer-
Gus where colds have been contracted
that proved fatal on such occasions.
Mourners who are not in rugged health
should not go to the place of burial at
all. The male parties and few friends
are all that there is any occasion for
appearance there. Whether it is de-
sirabIe to have funerals Sunday or not
is a point that depends largely on what
are regarded as the uses of the day.
Clergymen would naturally be dis in
clined to the practice, from the fact that
it is their chief working day,
and their time is sufficiently oc-
cupied otherwise. But for those
who have no other day of leisure
it seems peculiarly available. A simply
conducted and unostentatous funeral
ought to be a source of useful moral
suggestion to the attendants, and may
be of even more value than some SER
mons. The average lay opinion seems
to be that Sunday is peculiarly fitting
day for this solemn service.
The last suggestion, in regard to con-
Spicuous signs of mourning to be worn,
is one that many thoughtful people have
long since adopted. 1t has seemed to
them in bad taste to go about in pub
lie ways advertising the fact that
near ones have died, and casting
something of funereal gloom over the
company. There is painful incon-
gruty at times visible in the demeanor
of persons wearing the emblems of grief
and their conduct. Hilarity and merri-
ment may not be censurable in them
selves, but when they are connected
with these suggestions of bereavement
and personal grief, they are in bad form
at least. There are many who go so far
as to believe that mourning badges and
dresses should not be worn at all, even
| for the closest kindred. They insist
that real mourning is not to be paraded
| before those who have no occasion to
share it. But the custom is too old and
prevalent to be readily discarded.