Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11
MINGLE JOY WITH SORROW
Strange Funeral Customs of the Italians in
New York.
Even the Poorest Members OF the
Quarter Can Have a Snowy
Procession.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

| special correspondence OF Inc fNcuilS SUI.
NEW YORK. December .. 1897.
| One of the most remarkable Of funeral
customs, according to American ideas, is
| one that has grown up in the Italian quar-
| ter in New York. The 10000 or more Ital-
| ians in the city form separate communi-
| ty in the heart of the metropolis and oc-
| cupy the region about the historic Null
| berry Bend. They are ostIy bootblacks,
puskcart men day laborers; nearly all
Of them are poor, but when one of their
| number dies he is apt to receive funeral
that Is more elaborate than most of the
residents of 9TH avenue have. 1t is no
unusual thing to see funeral procession
of twenty-five to thirty carriages starting
from one CT the crowded tenements of the
Italian quarter. Behind the hearse, which
is sometimes drawn by four horses, comes
an open carriage filled with flowers. There
are pillows and crosses and wreaths that
fairly overflow the sides Of the carriage.
All the flowers that do duty at the funeral
are conveyed to the burial ground, and
they are arranged to make as brave a dis
play as possible.
After the leaders comes a motley pro-
ccssioa of vehicles, rusty-looking hacks
drawn by skeletonized horses and occupied
by persons of all ages, who laugh and chat
and gaze about as though they were hay
ing the pleasantest kind of time imagina-
BILE. In fact. the rear of an Italian funeral
procession in New York might easily be
mistaken for a picnic party. Sometimes
the cortege is headed by a brass band but
This is not always the case. The idea of
hiring a brass band to pay respect to a
corpse Is one that will not appeal to one
brought up with American notions on this
subject but the band, as part of the fu-
neral procession, is a sight too common
in New York to attract special attention
WI m xyintx nc
strange cayalcade of fruit and Deanut
vendors doubtless believes that some per-
son Of note in the Italian colony is dead
Inquiry often reveals the fact however
that it is only some poor bootblack or street
laborer. Now. it is fact that bootblacks
and laborers are not ordinarily burdened
with wealth. 1t is equally true carriages
flowers and brass bands. even the variety
to be found on the Bowery and Mulberry
street. cost money. So the italian funeral
remained mystery until it was explained
by the undertaken himself.
The undertaken is a person of stand
ing in the Italian colony. To the dole
full importance which ordinarily attaches
to his office he adds a weight of social
influence which cannot be claimed by any
OF his fellows.
1T Is the custom among my people when
person dies" said the undertaken. Ito
send out an announcement Of the fact and
occurs in a family of position they prepare
the invitation list and send out the cards;
If it is man in poorer circumstances i
make out the list myself. Each person
who receives a card understands that II
he comes to the funeral he is expected to
pay 81 for the privilege, and 1t Is con-
sidered an honor to be invited"
Like 1t is to be of what you call the
406." explained the undertaker's assist
ant.
"All the actions OF men are explained.
by the circumstances that surround them
says modern philosopher. So it Is with
the Italian funeral A dollar means a
pleasant ride through the greenery Of the
Long IslaId fields, but more pleasant than
the days enjoyment Is the feeling of the
guests that they are assisting at a func-
tfon-for an italian funeral. viewed In the
only correct light Is q social function.
And the bereaved family and friends! No
doubt thes- grief IL sincere enough. but
perhaps itsis rendered less poignant BY the
knowledge OF the long procession and the
silver handles on the coffin. The system
really rests upon the undertaken and Il
pays him well. % he will scarcely be the
one to change It"