The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-17
FADs ABOUT FUNERALS.
Queer Wishes of the Dying Concern.
ing Their BuriaIs.

(From the London Expressly
A recent telegram from New York states
that Mrs. George Norton, wealthy resi-
dent Of Pawling, vas buried sitting in the
very self-same armchair in which, as an
invalid, she spent the last three years oil
her life. This curious form OF interment
was directed by her will, and the detailed
instructions were faithfully carried out.
The body and chair were enclosed in a
huge case and the grave containing them
was walled in with brick and surm0unted
by heavy marble slab.
Not long ago there died in North Lon
don suburb a lady who wished to be buried
in the bedstead in which she had lain con-
tinuously for nearly a quarter OF CEN
fury prior to her decease, and to ensure,
as she thought, her wishes being respected.
she left plump contingent legacy to a
relative. AS the bedstead In question,
however. was Of the old "four-post" va
riety, and an unusually massive specimen
at that, the cemetery authorities objected.
Eventually a compromise was effected.
The bedstead was taken to pieces and from
the timber so obtained a sort Of box coffin
was constructed for the reception Of the
remains.
1t is, however, amcng the mining ropu-
lation that instances of funeral eccen-
tricity are most common. Jack Hustler.
coal newer OF Tong, near Leeds, who died
the other day at the age of sixty-sev
was buried in a coffin constructed to his
own specification twenty years ago. 1t was
made Of pitch pine, with silver hand es,
and the lid was hinged at one end. The
deceased was buried with lump of ca,
which he had carefully preserved FIR
years. 1t had served as his pillow. and his
tobacco and pipe also found a place te-
side him. This latter custom Is said to
be very prevalent among the coal miners.
The tin miners Of Cornwall almost in
variabiy include an umbrella 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
Derbyshire farmer expressed a wish 10
be embalmed, the body, after being SO
treated, to be sunk in one OF the lime
subterranean springs so COM
mon in the Peak district. The old chaps
last wishes were faithfully carried out,
and, after three years, the corpse WIS
found to be completely incased in fla
mentary shroud OF pure white limestone.
For some time it remained on show, but
eventually the authorities interfered, ard
the CHASTITY relic was inferred in the ordi-
nary way.
Brooches, rings, medallion portraits, and
otneE similar articles, mostly Va-ueu 10.
old associations sake, are constantly be-
ing consigned to the grave, even among
the poorer classes of the community. In
deed, III large East-end cemetery, not
long ago. body was buried with large
hundred pounds-in Bank OF
England notes, the valuable roll being
placed inside the little hollow wooden pill
low which supported the head. 1t is diff
cult to surmise the object of this strange
proceeding, as the only result would be. of
course, to present the institution in ques-
ton with the face value Of the notes. 1t
may have been. however, that the intention
vas to try and disappoint some expectant
species of osteEtatious
,ost-mortem spite which is far Eore COM
mon that most people suppose.