Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22

clal burden upon families utterly unable
to bear II.
The dress which distinguishes the
mourner. even TO stranger, Is
not demanded by the proper feeling to-
ward the dead nor by the canons OF good
taste. While 1t would OF course, be EN-
inenty improper under such circum-
stances to dress In any but subdued
colors. IL IL not essential 20 propriety
that the bereavcd heart shall announce
its sorrow TO every eye-sympathetic or
intellectually the sable OF grief Were
Ii not that this custom IS so universal
and OF so long standing. we would soon
feel that such sorrow should DO hidden
away in the heart as altogether too sa-
cred a thing for such universal announce
ment
2. Another change, demanded by the
considerations OF health and the sensi-
bilities OF the mourners. is at the burial
service. OFTEN, I'm extremely inclement
weather. at the risk OF health and some
times Of life itself, and with feelings hor-
rowed by the sound Of falling cods over
the loved form, the friends must walt
tin the grave has been filled. How much
better II would be to consign the body 10
the earth, receive the benediction, and
retire. leaving this mechanical part to
the ones 10 whom II properly belongs.
2. Other details might be improved
such as greater simplicity and economy
when circumstances make 1t necessary
In floral offerings, more attention 10 soft.
heart-soothing music I'm home funerals,
etc. II. c. GARRISON,
Marshall-Street Christie Church.
In answer TO your request for few
words on Funeral Reform" / beg 10 say
that you have put your finger on one or
the sorest spots Of our modern civilization.
1t Is a queer contrast that Is afforded IN
the sight that side by side with our cul-
ture and aesthetic development in 50
many other avenues Of life there should
remain the almost untouched barbarism
of modern funeral CUSTOMS.
The so-called 'seleCtive instinct or the
human mind Is constantly at work In
other directions, discarding something on
the one hand. developing and improving
on the other But its activity hesitates
when it reaches the region Of religious
conduct, ana stops altogether when II
must deal with rites that attend the aw-
ful mystery Of our last journey. Rev
crence Is one Of our noblcst intuitions,
but II is often infused TO bar the steps or
progress.
In the phrase, so commonly used.
decent burial" modified as 1t may be
TO suit the faith represented, e. s., "a
| decent Jewish burial or "a decent
Christian burial" we find to-day denia!
Of two OF the most important doctrines
taught by those faiths-yiz., the leveiins
influence Of death and the Immortality OF
the soul
The extrava gance that characterizes
most Of our funerals Is nothing less than
the barbaric splendor Of the savage
yeneerod with modern methods. The
body IS often enclosed in casket whose
price would support a poor mans FAMILY
for a year. There is a lavish display or
flowers, whose presence IL more the re-
suit Of social obligations than personal
affection, and too often the cause OF sen
timental vanity among the members OF
the deceaseds family, who take bride
in the floral mass, as In the number OF
carriages that follow the hearse. To graf
ify the pride the living are often robbed.
The remedy for this must come from the
rich. who feel It's effect the least. But
their example is followed by the middle
and poorer classes, TO whom. in cOnse-
quence, a burial means often the fruits OF
six or eight weeks earnings. IL not more.
II there were more simplicity all around
the noble thought OF the republic OF the
dead" would be more generally apprs-
ciated.
There IS no better hour TO show the
strength OF a faith triumphant than that
in which we are called upon to surrender
precious gem from out the crown of the
family. We speak Of death as but a
doorway, over whose threshold we cross
to the undisturbed peace of the endless
rest; we speak Of the Just Judge" whose
wisdom cannot err, whose DEGREES are
justice and love, and always for the best.
But when death inva1es our homes we
give ourselves up 20 helpless despair. We
add TO our misery by the adventurous
aid OF the undertaken. The house Is
darkened and crapei and hung in black.
The body is shrouded and cofiined in the
color of gloom, and everywhere f. ex-
pressed. in so far as symbols can 80,
an incOnsOlable bereavement
1t is true that the first hours OF grief
are not always amenable to the offices
OF human love or sympathy. But IL we
try to do anything, why not rather at
tempt to alleviate. that 20 deepen, the
sorrow, TO express hope rather than de-
spair. the courage Of faith rather than
distrust Of God?
Life Is the triumph OF our moud'rlng
clay.
Death OF the spirit infinite! Diviner'
EDWARD N. CALlSCH.
Rabbi OF Betha Ahaba Synagogue.