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


be discouraged Imposing floral displays.
besides being costly, are scarcely In keep
ing with the simplicity and modesty
which should characterize our treatment
Of our beloved dead.
z without presuming 20 dictate In the
remotest way to any brother minister,
have reached the conclusion that
funeral services should be short and sim
pie. Memorial tributes to the departed
come with more proprlety and effective
ness. II seems to me. at some other time.
W. w. LANDRUM,
Second Baptist church.
We have the highest example for dealing
tenderiy with the grief Of the bereavei,
as in the cases OF Jairus. the widow OF
Main, and the family at Bethany. we
read also Ia Acts viii, 2. And devout
men carried Stephen to his burial, ana
made great lamentations over him. An
important guide, I'm my judgment, for
funeral arrangements. is proper respect
for the memory OF the precious dead, to-
gether with consideration for the sorrow
OF the living. For this, parade and eX-
pense. as In carriages and flowers. are
not necessary. and should be dlscour-
aged. a reform IN the direction OF the
utmost simplicity and unostentauoushesS
in funerals would commend itself TO uni
when private interments will seem 20 be
most in conformity TO the truest taste, To
proper respect, and 10 all that Is due TO
Borrowing friends. W. V. TUDOR,
Centenary Methodist
Tho funeral service should be simple.
An address should not be expected. Let
Gods providence and Gods Word speak.
There should be but one service at
the grave. If IL ia desired TO have a
service other than that of the church at
the grave; let the full Church service
be had in the church. Heads should not
he uncovered at the grave. when it is
cold or damp. If possible, the ladies
who are bereaved should not leave their
carriages IN bad weather All, except
some friends appointed by the family
10 represent them, should leave before
the grave Is filed. These friends should
have charge Of the flowers. The fami-
~ can visit the grave afterwards.
when others are not there, before the
flowers fade.
None but the immediate friends and
members Of the family should 20
20 the grave. Let others show re-
spect and sympathy by attending the
service at the church. There should
be as few carriages used as possible.
parade. Funeral expenses fall very
heavily on many families. In a word:
Lot all things be done deccntly and In
orler'-simply. reverenuy, humbly. ana
I'm the fear Of God.
Surely at the grave. the world, with
is pomp and show. should be banished.
=. S.-The procession. II bound for
Hollywood, should not pass through the
pententiary bottom.
Rector st. Johns Protestant Episcopal
Church.
The question Of funeral reform Is
n very important one First, ] think
the clergy generally are OF the opinion
that funerals ought not TO be had on
Sunday. except where absolutely neces-
sary. There are many reasons for this.
but one TO my mind not the least. IS
that the cemetery (at any rate. Holly
wood). on Sunday IS filed with a great
number Of persons. who rush from one
open grave 10 another, and crowd around
II. TO the annoyance Of the family ard
friends Of the deceased; their grief is
too deep and the occasion too sacred
TO be exposed 10 the gaze Of curiosity
seekers or idle lookers-on.
The time will no doubt come when In
tormonts will be private; when. after
the proper service I'm the church the
remains will be followed to the grave
bv none but the family and those In
charge.
Much might be said In reference to
the lavish display Of flowers at funerals
of the expense and ostentation attendant
upon this or course. there IS the
other side: The florists are helped by
this. and their laborers are paid out
Of IL. and Il is not such n waste as
some people imagine; and we may re-
member our Lords rebuke 10 judas, who
found fault with the woman Tor
breaking the alabaster-box OF ointment
over Him Christ But. certainly. II may
be carried too far, and out of n simple
and beautiful custom there has grown
much evil. I often in this connection
think OF the funeral of DR.. Peter
Kin. whose coffin, indicative Of the
character OF him whose body 1t held.
had crossed over II only two simple
nalm branches / would repeat, that the
need Of funeral reform IS pressing one,
from many points OF view.
Yours very truly,
J. Y. BOWMAN.
Al Saints Protestant Episcopal
Church.
customs prevalent in the conduct Of fune-
rails IN this city TO offer suggestions
OF reform here But what has seemed TO
me TO be very benofcent reform In
the funeral custom OF the city from
which I recently came was induced by
tho action OF the authorities touching
the filing OF graves. The hasty filling
Of graves while loved ones and friends
stood by was found TO cause the very
carly sinking OF the earth, which was
readily undermined by surface-water, and
necessitated refilng after very short
time. In consequence. the authorities
required the graves 10 be thoroughly
tampcd, process which requires nearly
an hour. Therefore. after The coffin Is
lowered. and the service at the grave
concluded. all are dismissed. There is
no waiting for the cold, dull earth TO be
thrown upon the coffin, TO the infinite
distress Of already quivering hearts, ana
no lingering upon the ground in bad
weather 10 the endangering OF health.
An retire. ana leave the grave tobe filled
and tamped by experienced men, and
the floral offerings are left in the keep
ing OF some friend. TO be placed &C
cording TO the wish Of the family
This / regard as IA very needful reform,
whether the tampng process Is OBJ
served or not. il seems TO me that no.
thing Is to be gained, and much harm
may be done, by waiting for the filling
90 Graves. CHARLES r. HYDE,
Third Presbyterian.
The attendance upon funerals at my
church IS generally large, and the OPP
portunlty to improve the occasion to the
living. and especially as some never at
tend any other service, is inviting, and
-. Y =. ,,orr1tadnd that such services