HEARTLESS FRAUDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

HEARTLESS FRAUDS.

TRADING ON WIDOWS' TEARS, DESPICABLE UNDERTAKER. SCANDALOUS OVERCHARGES. When ft poor woman nfc Lambeth, London, recently lost hor husband, an undertaker called on her and said that if sho would leave things to him he would mako all arrangements for the funeral at a low price. The widow, alone in the world, agreed to his proposal gratefully. The funeral passed, and she received an outrageous bill—for the exact amount duo to her on her husband's life policy. She paid it, and within a week sho was obliged to apply to the Guardians for relief.

This is one of many similar cases that occur ovcry year, says a London paper. Though most undertakers are as honest a set of men as can bo found in any trade, there aro unscrupulous exceptions.

In the case mentioned the value of the dead man's policy hnd been disclosed by an insurance agent. Such an agent is a valuable accomplice for an unscrupulous undertaker, but so lucrative is this gamo of scooping tlio family savings that the"*

is keen competition and touts are sought in many walks of life. Usually tliey are paid five per cent, commission on results. (Jno man who is much sought after is a coroner's officer. The reason is that in tho event of an inquest tho coroner gives an order, through his officer, to tako tho body to a mortuary for examination. Tho ofiicor is at liberty to choose tho undertakers.

In one district a firo broke out within 200 yards of a respectable firm's premises. Several people were burned to death, but when it camo to having the bodies removed to the mortuary the coroner's officer insisted on applying to another firm, the one he always selects, a mile and a-lialf away. A different kind of touting was tried at a London hospital recently. A limousine drew up and out stepped an immaculately-dressed man carrying a bouquet. Ho asked to see the matron, to whom ho presented the flowers, explaining tliat they were for the patients. Soon after lie jad gone tho matron was surprised to find a card concealed among tho blooms. It bore tho naino and address ot a firm of undertakers.

Another firm makes a practice of sending sacred pictures to country vicarages. Tho firm's trade card is stuck unobtrusively in the frame. But it is hard to beat the South London firm which employs a local, preacher as tout. This man, a past-master in shedding crocodile tears, mentions tho name of the firm he works for as if it were all part of his

burning desire to do everything in his powor to assist llio bereaved. Recently a North London man died leaving no relation but an invalid sister, over seventy years "of age. Tho undertakers who secured the commission know that tho sistei would not be present at tho ceremony, and they skimped the expenses to such an extent that tho funeral amounted to an open "cnndal . Tho bill they sent in was for 75 guineas, and knowing what grief it would cause tho deceased's sister if sho knew tho truth, noioody has told her. Few people know what a funeral should cost, but, from motives of mistaken generosity toward tho dead, many families pay away every penny of their hard-earned savings. Tho British Undertakers' Association has given a scale charge for a poor man's luncral, which includes a machine coach or car and pair, boarers and attendance. Tho charge is £B. A coach and pair alono should cost £3 10s, and a single horse carriage, £1 15s.