The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-11
New Methods
i'm Funerals
Snecial to The Globe.

Special to The Globe.
NEW YORK, Feb. THE method
of conducting funerals has changed
greatly in this city in recent years.
The change is doubtless due to the
growing intelligence of the masses.
The manner of performing OBJ
sequies has grown decidedly more re-
spectful, dignifed and unobtrusive
amongst u.s. said prominent funeral
director.
Those who still adhere to the old
style of doing things are the people
who have not become accustomed to
metropolitan ways and ideas.
They may come from the interior
sections of the country or from rural
parts of Europe. With them the
bOisterous wake and the Gathering
brass band may still be en- regle, but
not so with the people of modern taste
and training.
These, however large their means,
shrink from ostentation in the way Of
funerals, although they may often
spend more in quiet way upon the
disposal of their dead. We have collins.
for instance, which cost as much as
$4,000, and the cost of a very simple
appearing funeral could therefore
easily be brought to $4,000.
"One of the unpleasant features of
the old method of burial was the
screwing down of the coffin lid. That
has been done away with, a patent
fastening like a safe lock being sub
stituted. Another innovation IS the
Theoretically sealed case and burglar
proof vaults, which nothing but blast
ing could ever reopen.
"One of the principal innovations of
recent years is the use of shrOudS Or
robes in the place of ordinary every
day clothing. The shrouds are made
of all kinds of soft and delicate effects,
Gill o1ai nfO u
aged persons white robes are general
ly used, but soft grays and puppies are
principally favored for younger AMI
middle-aged persons. For instance the
correct thing for young lady would
be purple lined casket and lavender
robe. 1t would be more in conformity
with the age of the deceased to use
these colors; which is the point usual
ly considered. Black, cloth-covered
caskets with silver, gold or nickel
handles are very much in vogue. and
can be had in nice quality for $75
Rosewood, cypress and various i'm
ported woods are used for the uncov-
cred caskets. Red cedar, chestnut and
old oak, handsomely carved, are Of the
other varieties. 1t takes over twenty
yards of satin to line a casket and
when this is of a high grade it runs
into considerable money.
"One thing very noticeable in the
modern IuneraI IS the decreased at
tendacce of friends and relatives.
When the weather is at all Indictment
only the male members are expected
to go to the cemetery. Another change
is the gradual reduction in the num-
Der of Sunday funerals. 1T is being
brought about more than anything else
by the opposition Of the clergy, who
have plenty Of other work to attend to
on that day. Undertakes naturally
favor the spreading of interments out
over the week, as it is more convenient
for themselves and also for the GEM
etery officials. The consequence is that
the endless professions of funerals
across the ferries at Grand street,
Twenty third street, and Thirty-fourth
street on Sundays have diminished,
and the evening funerals have come
into fashion.
TN former times the Germans were
accusto to having music at their