FUNERAL REFORM.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4393, 19 April 1875, Page 3

FUNERAL REFORM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,—Now that public attention is being drawn to the question of funeral reforms, it is well to discuss some of the most objectionable features of the present system, and hold up to view what a correspondent of an evening newspaper very aptly styles ' funeral bunkum.” I will first draw attention to the post, of professional mourner, —which means that an individual, to whom the deceased was, perhaps, wholly unknown, and for whom he probably mourns as much as the man in the moon, is engaged to assume an'appcarancc of the deepest grief, and walk along with the cortege, no doubt wishing it was all over and that he had his money in his breeches pocket, to spend at the first opportunity. What a happy result of our boasted civilization it is that in some cases it should be found expedient to hire professional mourners to keep up the appearance of grief for those for whom there is not sufficient respect, or who from a variety of causes may not incite true mourners in sufficient numbers from amongst their friends. This class might well be dispensed with. You have, before, drawn attention to the habit of wearing mourning, and its evil effect upon society in general—tlie poor in particular. Taken in the most favorable view possible, it is unnecessary and very expensive. The expenses of funerals are complained of by many, and the unfortunate undertakers have to bear considerable opprobrium, whereas it is not the undertakers who arc to blame, but the outside public themselves for not at once taking a step in the direction of altering the form and ceremony of the present system, and then the prices would accommodate themselves in proportion, and, from being one of the greatest extortions, become a modest and fair chargAfor work faithfully done. It would not be out of place bore to offer a suggestion that the question of forming a funeral reform association in this city should be taken np conjointly by the beads of the different religious denominations, who might be able to prepare a schedule of charges to be submitted to the public, and by them discussed at a general meeting. Also, while on the topic of funeral reform, X may ask, would it not be well to arrange for a burial ground that might bo open to ail denominations, in order to avoid those unseemly and heartbrrcaklng occurrences over the body of the dead at the grave which unhappily are becoming much too frequent? It Is only lately that a young girl of tender years died, and her father, who Is a poor man, applied to the proper authorities to have the burial service performed, when lie was told that it could not bo done, as the deceased, who was only Horne sixteen years of ago at her death, bad not attended divine service sufficiently regularly to enjoy tlie privileges of a Christian burial in consecrated ground, but if the father chose she might be buried in uncoilseernted ground, This is truly relapsing into tile worst characteristics of a sect who are supposed to be advancing witii tlie times.—lam, fic.. SIHCERE.