BURIAL OF SUICIDES

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1933, Page 6

BURIAL OF SUICIDES

CORONER ON CLERGY’S ATTITUDE. LONDON, August 10. The coroner at a Hammersmith inquest yesterday considered a “philosophical” letter to her uncle froffi a 34-year-old typist who committed suicide in rooms at Askewcrescent, Shepherd’s Bush. After reading it the coroner (Dr. Edwin Smith) stated: “I cannot say that she was of unsound mind, but on this question of a suicide’s mental state the clergy often adopt an unsatisfactory attitude. “If people of sound 1 mind take their own lives the clergy are in the habit of refusing ordinary funeral conveniences. One has heard of a suicide’s coffin being left out in the rain while the relatives were enjoying the shelter inside a church during a funeral. “That such a thing might happen is very regrettable, and I shall find that there is insufficient evidence to show the state of her mind, which is fully satisfactory so far as the clergy are concerned. One cannot say that she was of unsound mind, judging by her letter.”

The typist was Bertha Ruet Carter, who was fou,nd unconscious in a gasfilled room on Saturday, and died' the foliovying day in hospital. The coroner, describing the letter, said: “She mentions cremation, which she would like carried out. “She wants your attendance at the cremation,” he added, addressing the uncle, Mr F. Carter, of Grove Road, Southend, who was at the reijir of the court. “She says it would be a new experience for you, and' variety is the spice of life.” Reading from the letter, Dr. Edwin Smith quoted: “I want no mourning, no chaplain, and no flowers. Unless we have some sincerity the whole thing is a. satire.” A verdict of suicide was recorded, death being attributed to coal-gas poisoning.