The times., 1899-08-24

The organization OF cooperative fu-
neral association in Buffalo, n. Y. for de-
fence against what are considered exorbi
tant charges on the part of funeral di-
rectors has caused considerable amusement
on the part OF local undertakers. The
objects of the association formed in. New
York, as stated in a circular. are 10 Sc
cure an appropriate and inexpensive burial
of the dead and for mutual defence against
the combinations which have secured con
troll of the manufacture and sale OF flu
neral supplies The third clause of the
circular states that the ASSOCIATION is
formed for protection against the ''ty. amy
of fashion, which degrades funeral oc-
easions into vain and ostentatious art ex-
hibitions, floral displays. and costly street
parades, and into occasions for the display
of conspicuous apparel"
One of the most prominent funeral direct
ors In Washington, when seen by Times
reporter last night, denied that there was in
existence funeral supply trust, as al
legged by the promoters OF the New York
association. Many other undertakers made
similar statement in regard TO the al
legged monopoly. The whole thing" said
well-known local undertaken, SIS, on the
face of il, simply scheme on the part o.
the organizers of the association to rob
those people who are ignorant enough to
become members of it. The heads of fam
lilies who pay the amount asked for mem
bership fee in the association will find
that the promoters will 1--we on the money
they subscribe, and that when a death o.
ours in the family and the assistance OF
the cooperative society is required, there
will be no funds to meet the expenses
which will prove TO be fully as large as
would be charged by regular undertaken
The men who have started the project
which, by the way, has been proposed and
even put into operation many times be-
fore-know nothing about the expenses OF
the undertaken. They are ignorant OF the
profits made on funeral. Their scheme
is simply money making one
There Is a similar ASSOCIATION in this
city, continued the undertaken, "but it is
practically dead. They have not reduced
the cost OF a funeral. The head of a family
in which death occurs will not take the
dictation of any cooperative association
with regard to the money he is to pay for
the funeral A man will pay according to
his means and his tastes. While death is
something which may be- and is expected
by everybody to occur at some time. il is
not matter into which man will enter
Tor the purpose OF making business bar
gain. 1t is not question which has to
be considered like house rent which be-
comes due at certain intervals. A similar
cooperative association was formed in
Philadelphia about three years ago. 1t
failed and the result was a benefit to the
regular undertakers.''
The undertaken also contTadicted the
statement OF the association concerning
lavish displays at funerals He thought
that the tendency was becoming more evi-
dent each year toward simple funerals.
Washington, he said, was certainly city
noted for conspicuous displays of wearing
apparel at funerals and. he did not think
the condition existed in New York. He
added that the floral displays which were
cited as an instance for a necessary reform
in conducting funerals were not due IN any
degree TO the undertaken, but to.the friends
of the deceased who were guided by their
own judgment and taste, or the wishes OF
the family in sending flowers Every under
taker seen yesterday agreed that flowers
are not now used so largely as in former
years. There was no reason why family
should not have a costly funeral, they say
provided it could be afforded The state
ment of the association that coffin manu-
facturers would be conferred with, price
lists obtained. and contracts entered into
for supplying funeral supplies, was consid-
cred ridiculous. The undertakers say that
the idea of cooperative associations for the
burial of the dead is not new one, but
that it has never succeeded, owing ote the
fact that the majority are not honest and
not conducted on business UrinciDleS.