Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-24
FUNERAL REFORM.

last issue on the subject of funeral re-
form ought to be read by every iflend
OF that reform. To the Importance Oh
the subject number OF the clergy Oh
this city testified-namely. Rev. mr.
Cooper, Of the First Baptist church; Rev.
Mr.. Kerr. of the First Presbyterian
church; Rev. w. G. Starr, Of the Broad
Street Methodist Episcopal church. South;
Rev. Mr.. Landrum. OF the Second Bap-
list church: Rev. w. " Tudor, of the Cen
tenary Methodist Episcopal church. South;
Rev. r. A. Goodwin, rector OF st. Johns
Protestant Episcopal church Rev. J. \.
Dowrman. OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church; Rev. c. Il. Hyde, of the Third
Presbyterian church; Rev. J. y. Hutson.
OF the Plne-Street Baptist church; Rev.
II. c. Garrison. OF the Marshah-Street
Christian church: and Rev. Edward y.
Calisch. rabbi of Beth-Ahaba Synagogue
These all testify TO the desirableness Of
funeral reform. and they are but few.
indeed. compared with the numbers OF
the clergy who are ready to join In the
cd work OF freeing the public from
the letters which custom has forged for
them and compelled them to wear.
The Rev. L. Lawrence. whom we quo
ted the other day. we include in our list
Of burial reformers, because 1t seems to
US that he has indicated where the trou-
bic lies-nameiy in the fact that too
many men do not really and practically be-
l'eve in the continuity OF life after death.
nor that God is the God OF the living
and not OF the dead" ITO such the
earthly body Is the chief concern" and
hence a materiaism which shows itself
in manifesting extraordinary respect to
the body after death as well as before.
Rev. Edward N. Calisch. rabbi OF Beth
Ahaba Synagogue, makes the same point,
and as we think that most of the trou-
BILE growing out OF funerals is grounded
on that point, we will reproduce para
graph or two from his letter on this
interesting subject. Mr.. Calisch says:
I'm the phrase so commonly used, a
decent burial modified as It may be
to suit the faith represented-e. e., "a
decent Jewish burial or "A decent Chris
tian buriaP-we find to-day denial of
the two most important doctrines taught
by those faiths-viz., the levelling in
hUence of death and the Immortality of
the soul"
OF course. none of the people OF whom
DR.. Calisch speaks actually deny the
doctrine of the Immortality Of the soul.
They really act as If the body were en-
titled to manifestations OF respect which
ought 10 be paid to the soul.
Rev. Edward Cooper makes the fol-
lowing suggestion;
Analysis of character at such a time
Is delicate and difficult service"
And many preacher strains his con-
science while engaged in the charitable
work.
Rev. DR.. Kerr says that there should
be no sermon or address under any cir
cumstances. but simply funeral exer-
cses
Rev. w. G. Starr says:
$50 soon as the body has been COM
mitted 10 the earth and the rites of the
Church have been read the family should
return home from the cemetery, and
leave all after ceremony TO the pall-bear-
ers and the funeral director"
Rev w. w. Landrum says:
Exposure at the grave during incle-
ment weather should be avoided. To
bare the head at such times is TO provoke
disease; to stand in rain and snow is
often to invite death"
Rev. w. V. Tudor says:
"a reform in the direction OF the ut
most simplicity and unostentatiousnes
I'm funerals would commend itself to uni
versal appreciation. The time may
come when private interments will seem
TO be most in conformity to the truest
taste, 10 proper respect, and TO all that
is due to Borrowing friends"
Rev. r. A. Goodwin says that there
should be but one service at the grave.
He adds:
"All except some friends appointed by
the family to represent them should
leave before the grave Is filled. These
friends should have charge of the flowers.
The family can visit the grave after
wards. when others are not there, before
the flowers fade"
We could add many more suggestions
made by the clergy of Richmond on
this interesting subject. We are glad 10
know that DR.. Hoge is soon to treat
1t in his Incompatible manner. Mean
while let ali friends OF this reform avail
themselves OF every proper occasion for
impressing it upon the minds Of the
people everywhere.