The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-08-10
SUGGESTIONS ABOUT FUNERALS,

The Federation of Churches OF Pitts
burg and vicinity has made the fol-
lowing suggestions concerning funer-
ais, which answers many questions
when death enters the home, and
which give many helpful hints. The
same is published by request
The admission of large numbers of
curious people to view the dead be-
fore the funeral should not be permit
ted.
When death occurs from contagious
disease, avoid risk to the living by a
strict observance of the sanitary laws.
The practice of watching the dead
through the night should be abandon
ed. If needful the remains may be
placed in coffin.
Evening is generally the best time
for the funeral services. 1t allows the
attendance of those who are busily
occupied during the day
The funeral should not be on the
Sabbath. 1t consumes time and
strength which are solemnly pledged
to other duties.
1t should not be Wednesday evening.
Many of the best people have regular
meeting obligation that evening.
|, ConsSllt the minister (as well as the
funeral directory before fixing the
time. He has numerous other appoint
ments.
Provide the funeral director with
the address of the minister and of
those who may be invited to sing, that
carriages may call for them at an ap-
dointed time.
Let flowers be simple and inexpen-
sive, where they are used at all.
The casket and all its appointments
should be plain and inexpensive
Avoid display of every kind.
The reading of scriptures and prayer,
with singing if desired, or the ritual
provided by any church, is a sufficient
service at the home.
Where singers are to be provided
they should be secured by the family.
When for special reasons personal re-
marks and reference to the dead seem
desirable, let them be made at sub
sequent time, preferably at the regular
mid week service of the church.
Have family leave-taking entirely
apart from the gathering of friends,
and before the funeral service.
kissing the corpse is always to be
avoided. 1t is practice dangerous to
health.
Let all interments be strictly pri-
vate. Friends not invited for the in
terment should leave the house i'm
mediately at the close of the service.
Where crowds are likely to gather on
the sidewalks at the time of the fun
eral, the police authorities should be
notified before hand in order to pre-
vent it.
The casket of child should never
be taken inside carriage with the
friends. 1t imperils health. Where a
hearse is not used, the casket can be
taken on the outside of the carriage.
In inclement weather, let only those
who minister at the grave leave the
carriage, and let no heads be uncov-
cred, either there or on leaving the
home.
There is no necessity for service at
the grave But if any is held we re-
commend that ministers and fraternal
orders use only short service, or
else prepare an abbreviated form for
inclement weather.
Christian etiquette does not require
you to absent yourself from the SER
vices of the church even temporarily
after the funeral At such time you
need the comfort and fellowship of
Christian worship.
The wearing of mourning costume
is scarcely in harmony with the hope
of the gospel. 1t is not a suitable ex-
preston of grief. And we recommend
the discontinuance of this custom to
the thoughtful consideration of Chris
tian people