The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-09-05
Funeral Splendor.

ssJosiah Aliens Wife has written for
the Ladies Home Journal satire on the
reprehensible custom which prevails in
some communities of providing elaborate,
STYLISH and expensive funerals for their de
ceased friends by those who cannot afford
it. Miss Holly cites the case Of poor,
handwriting girl who had toiled in fac
tory when she was physically able, who
was never rugged, but frequently exhaust
ed from oyerwork who saved her wages,
except what were necessary to furnish her
scanty wardrobe and who finally became
i'll from overwork and died. Although she
lacked the things which she needed for
her comfort in her lifetime and especially
during her last illness, she had no sooner
passed away than her mother set about to
arrange to spend the three hundred dollars
which the poor girl had saved, in giving a
funeral display which would surpass ANY
thing vet seen in ,Jonesville In this
ambition she was encouraged by schem-
ing and avaricious undertaken who saw an
opportunity to dispose of an expensive,
unstable casket at high price.
Perhaps it is the province of the clergy,
more than of a secular journal, to teach
the folly and crime of robbing the living
in order to confer an empty honor upon
the dead by burying them with apparent
splendor. The mockery of a train Of car
riages. and for one, who during life, per
haps was never cared for or permitted to
ride in one, is ridiculous The cold feet
which ;rod the hard paths of earth clad IN
thin shoes will feel no warmer encased IN
white satin slippers, and the hands, worn
by hard work, will rest no better in white
kid gloves.
1t has often happened that poor people
have robbed their children Of the neceSsi-
ties of life to bury departed member of the
family. Others have mortgaged all their
property. and still Others have borrowed
money, which they knew neither would or
could be returned. which Is nothing short
Of dishonesty. all for the sake Of making a
vain display
In view Of this evil, which seems to be
growing, the people should be taught that
now Is the time to DO things tender and
humane. and to carry cheer 10 some dark
ened home. and not To wait To lay upon
the bier flowers which only mock the tardy
contributor.
There Is nolhiug that covers the case
better than the following extract trRa the
poem Dead. by Miss Susie NJ Best
a day aud a night I've lain her. dead.
Tapers burning at foot and head,
Jasmine. roses, and eglaElere
l.avishlv scattered eycrs where.
To think oft Dead, I've al ihe>" flowers,
/. Who had none IN my living hours,
All these years I've known. since ! VAS born
No flower had |. bu; many a thorn
It's often thus, We heard i sand
Thous for the living and flowers for the dead
feel almost If twere san
To be sc, apart from the world and the dlu.
But. oh. the Rest To be lying dead.
With the iapers burning a. loot aud bead,
Such vain displays DO not honor nor
benefit the dead, and if they could speak
they would probably advise their frends
not to u>e their money in making an os-
tentatious show, bu, to keep IL 60 make
their own. lives little easier ''AiteT
life fitful fever they sleep well. They
have gone beyond the trial and struggles
If life. Up to the Great Truth, beyond the
cares and burdens and viois-itude> ot time
into the realms Of everlasting lTaev. where
there l. perfect love aud repsse.