FUNERAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3749, 27 February 1875, Page 2

FUNERAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

To the Editor. Sib,—My attention having been called to the meeting of the above, held on the 23rd inst., the objects of which I have little to do with, but owing to one of the speakers, Mr M‘Phee, having told those present a doleful tale that had come to his knowledge of an heartless undertaker who charged a poor widow the anm of two pounds ten shillings for covering and lining and coffin, and placing an in. scription plate thereon, together with the ttfie of hearse with pair of horses and plumes. I wish to explain that these extras were ordered by her son who was strongly advised by me not to have the plumes on account of its in. consistency. He, however, determined on having them, and he being a working man able to earn his ten shillings a day, I, of course, thought ho had a perfect right to have his way» and that I should carry out Jus wishes. Now the cost of this funeral, that Mr M‘Phee endeavors to makO' capital of for the purpose of injuring air individual in order to show the supposed benefits of the association, was, without cemetery dues. (the son preferring to the extra cost ahdpxrchwte the land), just two

pounds fifteen shillings, xt was proposed to accept the tender of Messrs Craig and Gillies amounting to four pounds ten shillings, tha association providing their own hearse (which, by the way, Is proposed to be paid for by public subscription) at an extra charge of two shillings and sixpence some said ten shillings, but giving the association every advantage, I will take the lesser sum—thus making four pounds twelve shillings and sixpence for the association funeral, which, judging trom the report, would be carried out in precisely the same manner, less the use of plumes supplied u the case under notice, and which was actually done for one pound seventeen shillings and sixpence less than the amount the association proposes to charge. Where, sir, then, is the disgrace ul act commented on by Mr M‘Phee, and endorsed by the Rev Mr Davis, whose charity led him to say be hoped that the laborer would not be paid for the work honestly carried out by him at the order of the party interested ? I should not have troubled myself or you. sir, with this communication, but I like straightforward, honest speaking ; no humbug in building up a funeral reform association by such Would-be sensational tales as the imposition of the undertakers on the poor widows and the dear orphan children usually indulged in by some speakers on these occasions. I think the undertakers will be found as charitable by their fellow citizens as the members of the reform association when occasion requires. The ladies may appreciate the kind intentions of the association in dictating to them what they shall or may wear on the occasion of death, but I daresay they will have their own way in these matters, and rightly so too.—Yours, &c., W. G. Geddes.