Alexandria Gazette

Funeral Processions.

We promised in our last number to recur to the subject of funerals again. Neither time nor space admits of our doing this at any length at present. We believe that every person, who reflects on the matter, must see the duty and necessity of a reform in the abuses to which we make allusion: and that the folly and extravagance and bad taste which we reproved were deserving of condemnation. Every one of us, should discountenance the custom as it has been hitherto conducted, and endeavor to dissuade our countrymen from persisting in it. It is not for us to dictate to the Clergy, who rarely neglect even the temporal interests of those beneath their pastoral care; but if they would move in the matter, a reform would inevitably follow. But while we disapprove of the unseemly processions, and the costly suits of carriages, we would go heart and hand for the tasteful embellishment and decoration of the church-yards—"the seed-fields of God." Most of the other denominations of Christians have rural cemeteries which they take pride in ornamenting and improving, whilst our grave-yards are for the most part bleak, desolate and dreary. The expenses of burial cost the Irish more than any other class in the community, and yet their church-yards are the most unsightly to be found anywhere. Surely the more proper appropriation both of the funeral extra expenditure, and of revenue from the graves, would be the embellishment of the grounds by suitable fencing, planting evergreens and ornamental trees and shrubs, laying out walks, and other improvements. No one would grudge a moderate outlay in the decoration of our last resting place—the spot consecrated to solemn meditation and the memory of the loved who sleep beneath. Burial societies have been formed by our countrymen in other cities of the Union, a part of whose duty it is to provide graves and pay the expenses of interment for the poor and destitute. We deem this a truly commendable object for a charitable organization. Few are aware how much the means of many of the living are straitened by providing for the dead. Few are aware how in any a fine funeral leaves a home desolate, shelter-less and comfortless. These Burial societies make provision also for the improvement and becoming decoration of the church-yard. We trust that one may be formed here ere long. At all events, we kindly and earnestly entreat our people to abandon the old system of "monster processions," to bury the dead becomingly, to see that the expenses are commensurate not only with their means and the usages of the community, but the locality, the appearance and improvements of the grave-yard. These suggestions are made in a friendly spirit, and we hope they will provoke thought and action on the part of those to whom they are peculiarly directed.—Boston Vindicator.