New-York tribune., 1902-07-25
FUNERAL CUSTOMS IN HOLLAND.

woman who has enjoyed a long residence in
Holland tells various interesting things of the
funeral customs of that country.
When 'mevrouw. the faithful wife and mother
is called away" she says mo unfeeling undertak
will touch that precious body-with the sweetest
attention they will FOR her, and leave her
lying quietly her bed, the very bed upon
which she first the light OF earth, dressed in
simple nightgown, with the national flower the
pure white hyacnth. possibly the lily. upon her
breast.
Meanwhile the Aanspreken' goes about from
house house, leaving at each formidable look
ing card with a heavy black border announcing
the death and giving the date of the funeral. In
some towns when the door is opened the man
steps inside and reads the announcement in a
solemn toned voice.
Friends and relatives call during the sad days
that precede the funeral and the family must
ceive them; this most trying occasion duty
again upholds them l knew of acquaintance
who had lost his dearly loved wife. and who stood
all one afternoon, with his children beside
him, and received hundred people.
without any divine service. the friends come
together on the day of the funeral and start for
the cemetery Out of respect every neighhor has
lowered his shades thus the street presents
most sombre aspect
I'm front of the door stands the 1dik Koets
(hearse) and | shudder | think of that
funeral carriage. open upon all sides. in each
corner post that supports square canopy, and
in the middle raised platform upon which
the coff1n-all is heavily shrouded in black with
full fringe edging it's borders Even the wheels
lost view; only the eyes OF the horses look
through round openings cut for the purpose. Ere
ouently there four horses, and sometimes six
Of these heavily draped animals walking. with
measured tread, past the house where meVrouw
was born, past the dear old church, through the
market place, where the women from the prov
inces selling their
1.-The coffin is always of solid oak polished at
least and a half inches thick, lined with white
muslin and closed with screws Wreaths of
black and white beads OF ivy, and sometimes
flowers, are hung upon the hearse. and cover the
coffin. By the side of the hearse walk from eight
to twelve men, carriers, dressed in black. with
Ions. circular coats. crepe band about their
three cornered hats. and flowing from the back
ago walked in front of the procession sys-
temaucally wiping his eyes, assuming woe ne
did not feel
81 sorry say that many times I have seen
these 'Dragers' carriers, their return from the
cemetery, sitting the edge of the hearse their
long legs dangling from beneath the curtain of
black that has been let down under an infuence
that spiritual IL not heavenly
I'm cities chd's hearse consists OF a
coach with the wheels removed wooden runners
taking their place, the front a little kee OF wa
ter which is allowed TO drip slowly upon the run
ners to facilitate an easy transit over the cobbled
streets.
"As rule. the women do not 20 to the ceme-
terry, only the Of the family Once there
friend OF long acquaintance will make a speech ex-
tolling the virtues of the deceased and comforting
the mourners. When the body has been placed IN
the vault the last word said a brass box is passed
around, that the poor may not be forgotten, then
the friends return to the house, where luuchson
is served