The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1904-07-15
WEST VIRGINIA FUNERAL
DIRECTORS ASSOCIAT ton

II
1 Of any state to enact law in the in.
terest of embalming and transportation
OF the dead, for the matter which they
4 present is one Of vital concern to the
public and is entitled to consideration
without prejudice or dbsparagement. It
Is not a privilege or endorsement which
any particular portion of society seek
for their own ACKNOWLEDGMENT, as some
so-called statesmen seem to imagine, but
it is a means for the protection of the
public health against the spread of con-
! tagious and infectious diseases.
The great interest in association work
and the operation of the license system
seems manifest on all sides. The pub
lie now fully understands our purpose
and will soon demand some certificate
of the funeral directors ability as an
embaImer, that they may be fully as
surcd of ones competency in advance,
should occasion require such duties to be
performed.
In the progress of the undertaking pro-
fession, the education of the public in
its aims and methods has always been
an important factor, as has been re-
peatedly eHempIiHed in the past. Popu-
lar ignorance from time immcmorial has
been serious handicap to professional
advancement, and has often barred the
way to higher achievements, and ne
cordingly its removal or abatement be-
comes a matter of prime Importance
knI L.,
largely overcome and n widespread in
difference respecting sanitary conditions
in the house of death has given away
to a consideration for the needs of the
living The line of professional service
has been most clearly defined and grad
ually the mist has been lifted from the
public mind. The same obstacle has
been encountered in the relations which
the profession sustains with legislative
bodies, respecting legal enactments and
the same prejudice had to be overcome
before the profession could enjoy the
privilege of any advanced position. 1t
has been necessary to enlighten the pub
lie mind before securing any real and
substantial progress, and this mas been
achieved largely through association
work and to the association work we
! must look for further progress in the
future.
That great change has taken place
in our profession in the past years is
apparent to all. The tendency of the
present time is for still greater advance
ment. The public demands and expects
more from the funeral director today,
and rightly 80. as we are enjoying bet
ter times. better government. better ed
uea:ion and bet,er organization. and
We're it not for association work the
most of us would not he the funeral di-
rcctors we are today.
1t was in these conventions that the
funeral director was first infused with
many new and practical IDEAS of sue
cessful funeral management. ] trust in
the future all of rs will take hold with
renewed energy and strive to aid the
oilieen, build up our association more
nearly d the ideal.
Let West Virginia take the initiative
step toward securing the yet higher ed
ucation of funeral directors and add one
more proof that as a state we are not
only keeping step with but are pioneers
in the path of human progress.
All the migratory lecturers and the
free schools have more interest in the
introduction and advancement of fluids
and sale of goods than anything else
and they have had tendency to draw
the profession from association work
y longer period OF instruction should he
given in cmbnlming schools, and the
state boards ought to require applicants
to present a diploma from some credit
able school of embalming which lis ap-
proved by our state and national n<so-
citation, and the state board ought to
make the examinations in the future
more strict and require practical work
from all applicants.
The cmstom seems to prevail among
some Of the manufacturers of cmbalm-
ing fluids. when their tiuiI is used in
preparing the body of some distin-
guisncd person, 10 advertise it extern
sively and oft-timcs use the photo
graphs OF such persons in trade Journals
We should condemn such advertising as
degrading 70 our profession and in ex-
eecdinrly bad :aste
1t has been reported that in some
part' Of The state cmhslming is being
practicel without a license ont Of re-
>pect for The laws on embalming.
would urge every member 10 yield
cheerful compliance with the law ana
luke pain. % iurui,- evidence in case,
of violation. 1t i q dirty you owe 10
Your state as citizen and to your ns-
sociatien ~ member. Ii you file COM
plants and furnish evidence your st,,te
officials will 10 -,.e rest.
The adoption Of the code Of ethics by
The natinnal assoeintinn nnl the rcndin..