The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-08
Colors and Flowers at Funerals.

Many efforts have been made within re-
cent years to improve the dark and lugu-
brious surroundings which attend death
and the funerals that follow it.
HENRY WARD BEECHER many years ago
advocated the Punishment of so much
Grape and other dark and somber emblems
and advised the use OF flowers and colors
other than black. Some changes
have been made and occasionally an
eccentric innovation has been introduced
yet in the main the same customs largely
prevail as obtained century ago, except,
perhaps, in the mRtter of black Grape
This, though used 10 soae extent, has
been largely curtaiIed. The French. per-
haps, were the first to welcome flowers
and other cheerful emblems into the last
rites, but even yet Partisan funeral IL a
somber affair, not less so than an Amer
lean one, and it is difficult to make any
thing else out of 1t. Deaths and funerals
are necessarily sad occasions, and. no mat
ter what is accomplished outwardly by
loving hands. the overtowering fact that a
friend or relative is dead cannot be OBJ
A young girl died last week in
Louisville. She commanded univer-
sal affection, as was evidenced
by the general sympathy extended
to her parents, who had lost their daughter
in the very bloom of life. They we're
completely Frustrated by the sad event.
An attempt wss made by sorrowing
friends and loving hearts to dull the keen
edge of the visitation and flowers and
colors were introduced in the obseQuies
One OF the newspapers called it "a
Pink Funeral" and another "a Flower
Funeral" the casket was covered with
delicate rose-tinted cloth with a pail of
lilies and pink roses tied at the four cor
ners by large bows Of pink ribbon. In
addition to the number of exquisite floral
designs sent by the friends OF the deceased
and her sorrowing parents. the entire
chancel where the services were held was
converted into q perfect bower of bios
SONS. the reading desk was loaded with
lilies and roses and the altar-rail fringed
with masses of beautiful flowers tied with
ribbons Of bright crimson, rose and white.
The cross over the altar was surmounted
by a large garland of mignonette. The
schoolmates of the young girl were all
present. many of them wearing little
knots of white ribbon upon their arms.
The shroud was made of a delicate pink
material and about the beloved form was a
garland of pink roses and lilies of the val
ley. Another reporter. in his account of
the funeral. said that the flowers were the
most exquisite in design ever witnessed
in the city. The altar was covered with
them. the entrance to the chancel repre-
senting Gates Ajar" in white hyacinths.
with the railing wreathed with the same
flower and maidenhair ferns. Crosses,
stars and crsscents. wresthes and hearts
were in profusion all about the rostrun.
Altogether it was a very notable occa-
sion. and If the introduction of eolors and
flowers into the sad obsequies assusged
the grief of the parents or made more
cheerful the natural sad and somber sur
roundings Of the scene this display must
have been successful. The overwhelming
thought, however, to those most closely
bereaved was that death was there and
their child was not.