Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-09-23
ABUSE Of THE
FLOWER CUSTOM
Clergymen Would Bar Law
ish Displays at the
Funerals.
COST OF TRIBUTES
Suggestions Looking to Elimination
OF Extravagant Exhibitions-Some
Cannot Afford Them. :.

Detroit, Mich, Sept 23.-"Whi,e
many people abuse the flower custom
famous New York specialist. The
funerals by extravaganza, said
Rev. T. w. Young, pastor of the North
Baptist Church, "I would not adv'-
cate it's aboIishment, but would ex-
hort people to be more moderate.
There is no more beautiful way of ex-
pressing ones grief or sympathy than
by giving flowers"
Milwaukee, Wis, Sept. 23.-"An
order issued by Archbishop Messmer
three years ago in the diocese of Mi
waukee bars lavish display of flowers
at funerals in Roman Catholic
Churches and bars any floral display
on the coffin either in the church or at
the cemetery" said Rev. J. F. Ryan,
head of st. Francis Seminary here TO-
day, commenting on the order of Rev.
Father Stanley.
New York, Sept. 23.-The flower
custom at funerals has shameful!y
been abused, degenerating from its
sphere as expression of love, into a
mere badge of extravaganza and dis
play" said Rev. Dr.. c. F. Reisner,
Methodist today in commenting on
Father Shanley's order barring flow
ers from the funerals among his pa
rishioners. 'But | would not do away
with it. Instead, | would try to en-
courage it. When people learn the
true meaning of flowers, they will OF
themselves eliminate extravaganza"
Indianapolis, Ind, Sept. 23.-"l sell
dom. find case where people buy
flowers. deprive themslv Of necessl-
ties" declared Rev. Albert Hurlstone,
of the Robert Park NJ. E. Church TO-
day, commenting on the placing OF
ban on flowers at funerals by some
churches. 81 have very little sympa-
thy with that kind of thing. I think
that friendship and feeling can be en-
pressed with flowers where it could not
be expressed in words"
Danbury, Conn, Sept. 23.-"Be-
cause found so many people who
could not afford to buy flowers did not
only denied themselves the necessities
of life but were also going into debt"
was the explanation given by Rev. DE-.
Walter ]. Stanley, pastor of st. Pet
ers Roman Catholic Church today for
placing a ban on flowers for funerals
held in the church and at the two
Catholic cemeteries. The ban first
excluded flowers from the churches
then was extended to the cemeteries.
Cleveland, o., Sept. 23.-Cleveland
ministers today agreed that extrava-
gance in the use Of flowers at funerals
should be discouraged. For many
wears flowers have been barred from
churches of the Cleveland Catholic dl-
ocese. Rev. T. S. McWillliams, pas
tor of Calvary Presbyterian Church
said:
"The use of flowers at funerals Is
overdone. It works hardship in many
instances. The practice should be
confined to the most inexpensive floral
offerings"
Chicago, Sept. 23.-"The church has
always opposed any profusion of flow
ers at funerals and in many instances
flowers are barred from caskets while
in the church." said Father F. N. o.
Prien, of Holy Name Cathedral to-
dsy, in Commenting on Father STAN
lcv's declaration.
The flower custom is but relic
of :he pagan age, but personally tesl
that people should be allowed 20 use
their own discretion. If they see tit
to deny themselves life's necessities
in order to commemorate the memory
of the departed with flowers, al! well
and good"
Washington, Sept 23.-"I have nev-
er found that the custom of giving
flowers as mark of respect to the
Gead has been carried to such eX-
trenes here" was the comment today
OF Rev. Ignatius P. Fealoy. OF st.
Joseph's Roman Catholic Church IN
speaking of the action Of the Da2ouly
pastor in placing ban on flowers at
funeral services in his church "ln
certain localities, especially in small
towns, the custom is perhaps abused