Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22
REFORM In FUNERALS
This Interesting Subject Discussed BY
Leading Ministers Of Richmond.
POINTS on WHICH THEY AGREE
Thcre should De More Simplicity
and Less Lavish Display-some oo-
fsct 20 the Manner OF "e"f"S
MnnrutnE.

f,ct 20 the Manner OF We"it"S
Mourning.
c.s,oms change with the rapid fight oil
,.-. and there are reforms IN almost
....,tbine But while the habits OF 'he
..ons races on the globe may caahse'
a.. the grand laws Of nature are ever
.,.oe Death Is a natural consequence
..,,, II has been said that If a per-
SIN was brought into this worid win
...,o.sness Of what life meant. tha'
,..,, would be even more dreaded than
Geatb. 49,.
.....,trs since the leaving OK this
ia ia an event which all must event
fa.a the rites TO be performed
,..- t.e body that has returned TO dust
.4 D.. appropriate 10 the occasion
D.. tae past few years funeral reform
,..l..a "a much-agitated question. 1t Is
,,..mmon thing now for the family
a., deceased person 10 request that no
c..s-. Dee sent by friends or relatives 10
,.rIa.ei upon the collin or grave OF the
...-..l while very few now will allow
hand 90 head O funeral procession, end
90, tho Dead March, as the solemn tram
,....s ODD rs way 10 the grave.
rr.. subject Of funeral reform mas
f.-..i teu one Of concern with the kich-
,..I raslols. who feel that there sho.'u
d. SOM. notifications. and tue Minis
t.,..I I....u has determined 10 CONSIDER
,I.........G 100 "a practical way. keV. Ut.
,....- g. Hoge. who has always stoOu
Car simplicity i'm the matter or buil"'
-. has been asked and consented 10
,...-e paper setting forth MS NeW9
... subject, and this will be read al
..en.ret.ng OF the Union the second Mon
r.r.1 ArrIl In view Of the UNIVERSAL IN
f.,.et felt in this important matter ule
5..l,lA has sought brief expressions o.
on.u from leading ministers Oh inc
,r.as denominations. aud these are pre-
t.ats4 below:
To suggest any immediate need LOT
"roforr1' in our funeral customs IS 10
MANY pe0.le very ungwcOus. Let our
odd have our best is the first prompt
,r, ~ the heart as long az We can DO
o,rbt Tor them. That feeling may 90
TO- llr.
Give up the funeral address, except in
eroc.al cases u public station or Oiilclal
r9siu0n. 10 Is gratuitous, useless, com
fortress. The last place where the popular
craving for personalities ought TO De IN
cIg,I S. at the funeral service. The
f.rle scriptural service is the most COM
fr.ra analysis OF character at such
atn.e is delicate and difficult serviceJ
los expensive funerals. They cost TOO
much Death IS bad enough. Debt win
o-s,h is a horrible nightmare.
Private intermeuts. Let only the family
ana nearest friends go TO the cemetery.
There is no need FOR more. They are not
known 80 present 10y the family.
$50 uncovered heads at the grave during
winter. especially. Many q man has put
Dis foot into his own grave by re-
moving his hat at his friends grave when
So uter's breath pierced the air
Leave the grave at the conclusion OF the
burial service. The haste Of filling II Is
narrowing In many cases, we DO this al
ready. Nothing more can be done. Let
Us 30 home.
And. finally. please Mr. Undertaken,
90 not let W. 20 to or return from Holly
wood by the Penitentiary Bottom.
Shortest. is 1t. we know. but We can
spare q little isloro time for these last
duties. GEORGE COULTER,
First Baptist church.
There should be TO sermon or address,
under any circumstances. but simply
funeral service. The Presbyterian Church
now mas Out winch 1 GlNu . A11f AllbNbA
81 is not compulsory.
Economy should be observed. and sim
y.c.ty. and in this the wealthy should
set an example. IL is not necessary TO
provide SO many carriages. II Is q pity
that custom requires ladies'. even Of the
le.eavci family. TO so to the grave. 1t IS
lot SD In many parts of Europe. II they
1l 80 IL would DO we'll II they would re-
turn 20 their carriages after the religious
rites are performed, before the grave is
fred
ln cold. damp weather men should
keep their hats on.
There ought 10 be large sheets or car
pets Of tarpaulin spread about the grave
f.r the company TO stand on, II the
ground be damp.
ROBERT P. KERR.
First Presbyterian church.
Funeral reforms are usually annual or
Biennial or septennial, as the case Inoy
D. NOw aud then the advocates OF the
pew movement give a wise and suitable
programme. In course of time a death
takes place. That event furnishes an
90 apply the improved plan,
l.t H nineteen instances out of twenty
81, is found Tat the friends Of the de-
IIr..l prefer 20 recast the official ar
it.s rat aul bury their dead IN their
own way Indeed the expressed pre-
i.eur' az ti- family may be in strict
Iar,-tnc, o, the last wish Of the de-
ceased relative, and no one cares to give
c,u'. .Hnse TO the lacerated feelings
o.. '-f.Wrg hearts around the Casket.
l..'rulty " usage among either the
t.'-F .r the people will never be Sc
e'irl ulti they al agree to march TO
~. l.p ~ the same drum. Nevertheless.
I.fe are several obvious suggestions
N...A might be adopted by common con-
no ana rghtcousy adhered to as If
ei-e.'- hy law. for example:
Tho expenslyeness OF funerals ought
O. d. eat down 70 a decent minimum.
'te'r should be no risk incurred by
.'iig the head at the grave in
-..'t.iao.e weather.
I.e.t should be social conversation
the by-standers during the solem-
i'y ~ burial.
So soon as the body has been COM
invited 90 earth and he rites OF the
N.-fe1 have been read. the family should
home from the cemetery and leave
ceremony to the pail-bearers and
.r'al director W. G. STARR.
-..i--efcot Methodist Episcopal Church
Funeral reform IS a subject constantly
bai before the minds OF our city pas
aal about which we can speak in
.N.y. The question Is one OF deli
' no course. and must be treated with
consideration for all whom II
touch In any way. / shall attempt
more than suggestions as 10 lines
which funeral reform Is practica-
Ole ar. losirable.
o. sunday funerals ought to be dis
't,-. Tor reasons which will readily
o any rejecting mind They i'm
'NetSsaTy work IL nothing mora,
Costly funerals are a very common