Hello list, I got this on another list and thought it interestering enough to share. Hope you enjoy it. Linda FUNERAL ETIQUETTE 1885 We will imagine that I have a funeral to conduct at the horse of the deceased; time. 2 o'clock P. M. About to o'clock A. M. of the same day will find me at the house, placing chairs, arranging flowers, and doing such other work as my hands find to do. When taking the casket into the house is the time I map my way out with it. This avoids delay and gives the bearers a good impression of your ability. Previous to retiring I ascertain where and for whom carriages are tied call, and also request them to have a carriage list in readiness for me, on my arrival at the house at 1:30 P. M. I usually have a hack call at my office to convey me to the house. I always make it a point to be on time. I supply myself with one of my printed carriage lists. and always have a small brush broom in my pocket to brush the dirt off the casket after removing the flowers. Arriving at the house, my first duty is to copy my carriage list, making sure to have it as accurate as possible; then finish arranging flowers and placing chairs. After ascertaining where the mourners are to be seated, I take my station at the door, prepared to receive the guests and conduct them to their seats, opening and closing the door as quietly as possible. I assign to the minister and singers their respective stations, and at the appointed time quietly announce to the minister that we are in readiness to proceed, and resume my station at the door, to admit "straggling guests." Why they persist in coming late, knowing the time set for the funeral, is a mystery that no funeral director is able to solve, but it is one of the crosses we have to bear. Immediately after the service I conduct the minister and singers to carriages, instructing the driver to convey them to their homes and return as soon as possible. Returning, I arrange everything about the casket to my taste and announce to the guests in the various apartments, one apartment at a time, that all opportunity will be given them to take leave of their friend, always having a care to select the different apartments, so as to avoid confusion. I have omitted to say that, if an organization were in attendance, and the apartment wherein reposed the casket were not occupied by the mourners that apartment world be delegated to them. After they have performed their service, I request them to resume their seats, and they are the last to retire. If the weather is such that they can not remain out of doors with comfort, they retire to a remote apartment and remain in it until summoned. In announcing the carriages in readiness, I announce the last one in the procession first, and after escorting them to the carriage and assisting them in, I order the hack moved on two carriage lengths, and each carriage in succession passes by and takes position in front of the former one. This method allows the immediate mourners a short time alone with their dead, which I have invariably found appreciated. If the body has not started decomposing, viewing is allowed. After the carriages are formed in line, I immediately prepare my casket for the bearers, instructing them how to remove it, and, preceding the casket myself, see it safely deposited in the hearse. Returning, I remove the crape from the door, and place the pedestals and rug out of sight. The bearers enter their carriage, and if an organization is present, they file out in front of that carriage, the hearse in rear of the hearers, and when past the procession, the hack on the right follows in rear of the hearse, and we proceed to the cemetery. Previous to the funeral the outside box has been delivered at the cemetery and deposited in the grave, the mound of dirt nicely covered with a grass-green cloth, the grave lined with white cloth, fastened around the edge with common wire nails, and allowed to hang loose inside, and sticks placed over the grave to support the casket, and have straps convenient to lower it. On arrival at the cemetery, if attended by an organization, they have previously been instructed tied open ranks at the gate, allowing the procession to pass through. Arriving at the grave, I immediately remove all flowers from the hearse, instructing the bearers to spread them over the green cloth on the mound. The casket is removed, brushed off, and placed over the grave; then the hearse is driven away and I repair to the carriages tied ascertain if the occupants wish to alight; if so, I assist them and conduct them to the grave. If there is service at the grave, at the proper time the body is lowered, after which the mourners are reconducted to their carriages, the bearers take positions on either side of the drive, the organization pens ranks on either side the gate, and the procession passes through and away. I remain and arrange the flowers as I wish them laid on the grave. Having given you my method of conducting a home funeral, as concise and plain as possible, I will now ask your indulgence for a moment while I write a word in reference to church funerals. Previous to the time of the funeral I have ordered all flowers, except those destined to repose on the casket, to be taken to the church, where I repair with my church truck, for which I have a black and a white drape, and after placing it in the most convenient place in the vestibule, to receive the casket, I arrange the flowers around the platform as (rest I can. I have ascertained how many seats will be occupied by the mourners, and draw a white ribbon to designate them. I usually reserve the front seats on the right of the centre aisle for them and opposite seats for organizations. The procession leaves the home in the same way as described in the home funeral. Arriving at the church, the hearse is drawn to one side, and I immediately assist the mourners out of the hacks. instructing them tied form procession in the vestibule and await my coming.When all have been assisted out, I repair to right of procession and conduct them slowly to their seats, removing the ribbon as I pass down, and seating them as nearly as possible as they were seated in the carriages. I then retire, remove the casket from the hearse and place it on the bier, arranging the flowers on the casket. If organizations are in attendance, they now file in to their seats, remaining standing until the casket is in position. The bearers precede the casket down the aisle and open ranks, allowing me to pass through. I place the casket, remove the lid unless the body is decomposed, putrefied or emits a foul odor, the bearers file to their seats, and giving a nod to the minister, the service proceeds. At its close I arrange everything about the casket, and announce in a quiet way that those present desiring to take leave of their friend will now have an opportunity, passing down one outside aisle and out by way of the other. I lead them to the casket, the procession always passing from foot to head, and take my position near the mourners, remaining standing until all have passed out, the organizations being the last in the procession. I then announce to the mourners that they will take leave of their friend and resume their seats, always giving them ample time. I retire, have the carriages drawn up, same as at the home funeral, reconduct the mourners out, assist them into their respective carriages and proceed to the cemetery as from the home.