The sun., 1896-01-26
Il STUDY OF FUNERAL DIRECToRa.
Dignity, Euphemisms. Avocntions. and
Hopes OF Up-to-dato Undrrtnksrs.

Dignity, Euphemisms. Avocntions. and
Hopes OF Up-to-date Undrrtakers.'
Although the word undertaken" Is a mani
fest euphem!sm meant to hide the nature OF the
trade for which II stands. the undertakers long
ago sought further to disguise their profession
by elegant phraseology. Nobody but n pauperi Is
now buried in coffin by undertaken. Tho
wealthier dead are laid away in burial cas-
kets by funeral directors. The undertakers OF
this town as a class interesting, II some.
what grisly, subject OF study. Nobody who has
ever really known undertaken can doubt the
truth and realism Of the gravediGgers talk In
Hamlet" The modern funeral director Of this
town Is not a gravedigger. but he Is man OF
small reticence touching su bjects that most men
prefer to avoid. He has become calloused by
use to such things. and he has an unpleasant
way of dwelling upon certain details OF his pro-
fession. as had Shakespeare's gravediggers.
Outwardly the New York undertaken Is an
almost Extensively respectable person. There Ii
a tradition Of tho trade that imposes neatness
upon the premises. Undertakers are divided az
to the exact proprieties Of decoration. Most
affect ebony trimmings to their offices. but .
few substitute white paint for black with start
ling effect. Undertakers In New York COM
monty Join with their main business one or more
Of three or four avocations. Many keep livery
stables. so that the coach that carries sable
company 10 cemetery ny day Wnisks ou .
bride in white silk and orange blossoms by
night Some undcrtakers are also manufacture
ers OF funeral lotferings,wrcaths, and emblematio
aPnSnp dome hs1e Som. deal IL cut flowers seH
A few are in the real estate business, and the an.
nouIcenent "Lodgngs o for single s gsnflsmen,,"
pleasantly on this subject in one of his dron
letters TO Manning IN the far East.
and it is usual for a foreign family to employ in
the case of death an undertaken Of their own
trepreneur des pompes funsbTes" is the ocoa-
sional announcement in the French quarters.
a eash ~ sS
The New York undertakers although nearly
all anxious to surround their business with
n methods. M is Few rise quite quite above % the display
of caskets and content themselves with a
have the privilege OF placing advertisement. n
the fronts OF churches. In such case the under
taker acts as sexton at rather less than current
rates, the advertisement OF the sign on TIE
church front being an equivalent for part OF the
pay. IL Is great card for the ordinary under
dered per son or suicide sent TO his shop. tbs
brinGsth Coroner an Official investigation, AMI
undertakers like to use the word 'm3rrue" as
| an equivalent for their places of business. aud
all are eager to see their names and addresses
quest. The truly swell undertaken is ANXIOUS
10 avoid this sort of notorety. 1t would 10
unhandsome corse" brought into his place 4
| business after murder or an accident. He. ~
grave and respectable semi clerical person;
| learned In the etiquette OF grief. skilled ~ a.!
| tho decencies of his trade. and unparai'r.'i
| lump sum Of large bill, 10 have the h"l'" M
burial at his hands is al most iempta' I,' -
| suiciue. He does not rise early 10 read 10
| pers and get his card to the homes ot ne
afflicted ahead Of his rivals. ON the contrary
he can count with certainty upon his clients,
| He regards certain respectable families a. ~
natural prey and never sees any one OF hall
| dozen feeble millonaires roll by In acerr'ags
| without a vision OF hearse in which thN
| same millionaire must soon take his last E.Ss