New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-03
BURIAL A CENTURY AGO
CoFFINs OFTEN MADE LONG BEFORE
DEATH CAME
HARDLY PROPER FOR MoURNERs TO KEEP soBEr
WILLS NOR READ FOR SIX MONTHS
ONE PLACE WHERE WOMEN
ARE PALLBEARERs.

ARE PAILBEARERs.
The late Mrs Alexander Hamilton remembered to
have seen when she was a child. seasoned wood IN
her fathers garrett. which kept there in readl-
ness for the family collins As recently as iS-O'
among the Dutch In America, It was not unusual
when death occurred. to have the comm maker
who came to the house 10 do his work. make an
extra coffin or two If there were aged persons IN
the family. As he had to be lodged and fed' TINS
allowed him to use his time advantageously and
saved expense.
In those days not Infrequently GOODNESS sprang up
between old friends because an invitation TO
family funeral had not been given.
Mirrors were draped to prevent the departed
spirit from taking part in the festivities, even
Through q glass darby"
An Englisman who visited this country in 1900
thus recorded his impressions OF American funerals
in his diary. They at least are generous to pro-
fusion when they dead. When their eye cannot
see when their tongue cannot chde and when thelr
heart cannot grleye for the waste and extrava-
gance Of the merry mourness, who, to supply the
wants OF their friends lberate and adopt. his wine
who as they cOnsign the one to darkness. draw
forth the other to light and who. as good and
honest executors wishing TO do justice TO the
parties, take care that when the vault receives the
According TO a record In journal. under date Of
1903. the Dutch never touched the body OF re Ia
tive after death, and only persons VINO We're IA
vlted attended the funeral. The funeral process
sang hymns until the grave was reached. Twelve
men bore the coffin. No will was opened, nor
were any debts paid until six months from the time
OF death.
Old General Van Rensselaer, to show the despic-
! able character of a certain old resident OF Albany
once said Of him. why! he even went home SOBER
| from his fathers funeral"
Judge Leonard Ganscyoort In describing antique
customs to "A descendant. exclaimed: your great
| grandfather had fine funeral. There was only
one went home sober" WHO was that!
| "Oh the fact is disgrace enough without mention
| ing his name"
There Is an old tradition in Avesnes-lez- ALBERT
In Northern France that the women snall Oury
the women. and not long ago they Insisted upon
returning to the odtme custom.
Ii Is not unusual In these days in some parts or
the country to find drawer filled by the thrifty
housewife, whose pride It Is to be ready for any
thing with the linen which would be required IN
case Of the death of any member OF the family
One woman has made herself white SILK shroud,
daintily finished with lace, and every year she
rips cut the sleeves and rem0des them 10 the pre-
vallng style. One year, she took II out for It's
annual REGENERATION. she said IT Is getting horri-
bly, old fashioned any way, and don't beneve
! can bother to make these sleeves over this year
| II you see old fashioned angel floating through
the sky you'll know it's me. You see, the reason l
made II was this: have had to manage all the
| family funerals for years, and | knew II should
die there would be no end OF trouble and couldn
| Imagine what they would do without me. so
have made every preparation could for them, and
they will just have to see 10 the rest ana get me
| buried somehow