FUNERAL REFORM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1241, 11 September 1875, Page 4

FUNERAL REFORM.

. A , short- time ago .<mttoh was said and written against the continuance of, the ancienfc and absurd panoply, of. funerals, and the present expensive and ostentatious stylo of mournings./ AEuneralEeformAssociation was established, and a good deal, of interest was excited. While the general public,' absorbed by the stirring political and municipal questions of the day, have almost altogether forgotten about the movement, ' those who were really enthusiastic have not allowed it to die out, but on the contrary^ " have been with all due speed making arrangements for the carrying into effect of Funeral Reform. The association has had a hearse built, and has entered into arrangements with a firm in town by which funerals are to be conducted on $he , new system at rates which have. been agreed t»pon. The hearae has been built at Messrs Robin and Co.'s. The design is simple but' good,' and the vehicle appears to be, a well' finished piece of workmanship. The body of the carriage is uot so high as that of an ordinary hearse ; there are no glass sides, or nodding plumes, and the ye. hide, while anything but gaudy, has' not the sombre appearance of an ordinary hearse. It is. painted chiefly of an olive green colour, iutermixeel wih black, and with narrow ■white lines. The hearse is such that both rich and poor can use for the burial of relatives or friends. The hearae is now oompleted, and funerals on the reformed system can now take place. The Association has agreed 'with Messrs Craig and Gillies that the latter shall snpply horses for the hearae, coffins, and all funeral requi« sites under the new system, and a scale of charges has been, fixed, to which that firm has agreed. So much having been done by the Funeral Reform Association to lessen the expense attendant on burials, it remains with those who lose relations or friends to adopt A simpler and less costly style of mourning »' and no doubt, now that funerals can be con' ducted on the new system, reforms in mourn* ing customs will l be the sooner adopted, It is gratifying to find that the promoters of the funeral reform movement have not allowed it -fri 0 mero ta&.but hay« done their ' fZi 'Jt no Wffl» to be seen whether |he facilities offered pf , ipakfeg funerals cofc* ■ imfafy mwm m 1* wort »i> "