Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-09
FADS ABOUT FUNERALS.
Queer Wishes of the Dying as to How
They Shall BE Buried.

From me LONDON Express.
A recent telegram from New York states
that Mrs. George Norton. a wealthy resi-
dent of Pawling, was buried sitting in the
yer! seli-same arm chair in which, as an
invalid, she spent the last three years of
her life. This curious form of interment
was directed by her WILL and the detailed
instructions We're faithfully carried out.
The body and chair We're inclosed in huge
case and the grave containing them was
walled in with brick and surmounted by
heavy marble slab.
Not long ago there died in a North Lon.
don suburb lady who wished to be buried
in the bedstead in which she had lain con-
tinuously for nearly quarter of cen
fury prior to her decease; and to insure as
she thought, her wishes being respected.
she left plump contingent legacy to a
relative. AS the bedstead in question, how
ever, was of the old 'four-post" variety,
and an unusually massive specimen at that
the cemetery authorities objected Event.
ually compromise was effected. The bed
stead was taken to pieces, and from the
timber so obtained a sort of box coffin was
constructed for the reception of the re-
mains.
1t is, however. among the mining popu-
st1on that instances of funeral eccentricity
are most common. Jack Hustler. a coal
newer of Tong. near Leeds, who died the
other day at the age of sixty-seven, was
buried in a coffin constructed to his own
specialization twenty years ago. 1t was
made of pitch pine, with silver handles
and the lid was hinged at one end, The
deceased was buried with lump of COAL
which he had carefully preserved for years
1t served as his pillow. and his tobacco and
pipe also found place beside him. This
latter custom Is said to be very prevalent
among the coal miners. The tin miners Of
Cornwall almost invariably include an UNI
brella among the coffin furniture"
1t would be interesting to learn the origin
and significance Of this strange use.
Some years ago an old and wealthy Der
byshire farmer expressed a wish to be
embalmed, the body, after being so treat
ed, to be sunk in one of the lme-impreg-
mated subterranean springs so common in
wishes were faithfully carried out, and, af-
ter three years. the corpse was found to be
completely incased in a Elementary shroud
of pure white limestone. For some time 1t
remained on show, but eventually the au-
thorities interfered, and the CHASTITY relic
was inferred in the ordinary way.
Brooches. rings, medallion portraits and
old associations sake. are constantly being
consigned to the grave, even among the
poorer classes of the community. Indeed,
in q large East End cemetery, not long ago
body was buried with large sum-sev-
eral hundred pounds-in Bank of England
notes the valuable roll being placed inside
the little hollow wooden pillow which sup
ported the head. 1t is difficult to surnfise
the object OF this strange proceeding, as
the only result would be. Of course. to pre-
sent the institution in question with the
face value of the notes. 1t may have been,
disappoint some expectant heir-at-law; n
species of ostentatiOus post-mortem spite
which is far more common than most peo-
| pie suppose.