Test 3 Flashcards
Deaths at home
most deaths occurred before 1945. Hospitals and nursing home deaths are a phenomenon of the 20th century after 1945
Procedures in the cities relating to funeralization
-the undertaker played an important advisory role, thus preparation of the deceased was delegated to the undertaker
-preparation was either ice or embalming by 1900.
mostly done in home. After 1900 more embalming than ice conservation
Had more to do
Procedure in rural areas relating to funeralization
- often NO undertaker was available and funeralization tasks were performed within the family unit
- limited to the availability of an undertaker. Varied from simply washing and dressing by family members, usually women to ice preservation and by 1900 embalming begins to dominate
- shared responsibilities of the family
Furnishing Undertakers
Funeral Director replacing the sextan, liveryman, and cabinet maker appears first in the large cities
“home embalming procedures”
cooling board with wicker panels, gravity bottle, corpse cooler
- rudiments of cosmetics available. deceased was dressed and waked on a draped cooling board or slumber couch
Hand pump and jug method
more thorough arterial injection, venous drainage and aspiration of the cavities…. problem with swelling esp. the neck
telegram
notification of death to family
Casket Selection
usually selected from a catalog (furnishing undertaker) and sometimes from an undertakers selection room, or from a manufacturers showroom if in a large city
- delivery problems existed but by 1880 most undertakers could be supplied within 24 to 36 hours.
- most undertakers warehoused back up units.
Full Itemization
-First call- embalming performed in home or use or corpse cooler done before arrangements
-brief record of the deceased’s life- maintained by the funeral establishment
-clergy-type of service to be held
cemetery- info regarding lot
-pallbearers- may have to hire
florist- crepe or scarf for the door
-secure burial permits,transit permits, file death certificate
-after WWI health dept are born
-carriage and hearse rental
-chair rental or other equpment for the home
Mood of gloom 1880-1920
originated in England and was reinforced during “The Great Migration” between 1880-1920. migrators were Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christians, and Hebrews- they came to US due to industrial revolution
Coffin Trust
furnishing undertaker controlling all aspects- stopped by Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Role of undertaker was one of coordinator of tasks by 1880
- rural setting had fewer responsibilities
- prep of deceased at home
- placed deceased in state on slumber couch or in a casket if available
- working the wake, racking flowers, assisting minister
- securing carriages and placing them in order
- directing the funeral and cortege from the service to cemetery
- assisting clergyman in the committal
- cleaning home
undertaker licensing
remained unlicensed until 1895 when the states began to pass licensing legislation
funeral
involves personalized rites and ceremonies with the body present to commemorate that a life has been lived
procedures at graveside
clergyman leads the way-undertaker directs active and honorary pallbearers, seats the family , assists clergy with committal
personal dress
special mourning clothes were for widow and widower mostly black, a lack luster appearance
crepe or scarf
placed on the door to show mourning. called door badge- made of black silk and flowers.
Time table of mourning
6 months after death- deep mourning
2 full year mourning period
Stationary and calling cards
trimmed in black used by family to announce death
social emblems for funeral participants
black formal wear was required for participants
funeral music
brass band to lead a walking procession, organ music and tolling of church bells. dirges- sad and mournful humans
luxury couch casket
drop down front. gloom changed to beauty in casket designs
Flowers
casket backdrops changed to floral designs, artifical flowers widely used- Hebrews were the only group to avoid flowers
led to the control over the funeralization process that the undertaker seemed to achieve by 1900
- provider of all funeral goods
- seller of his service
- skilled to a degree
- transportation of the body
- director and coordinator of all tasks
establishment of “the funeral home”
- embalming
- crowding of cities
- promotion by the funeral director
rural areas
- last area to accept the concept of the funeral parlor
occupational organization
1880-1920 most important 40 years. modern concept of an occupational or professional association was post civil war. 1875-1900 most significant period of modern funeral service
3 categories of occupational organization
- trade union movement for skilled and unskilled labor
-trade associations - business and industry
-professional associations-lawyers drys engineers.
Funderal directors couldn’t decide what group they belonged to
2 socio-cultural movements exerted influence on associational development
- general public health movement- spread of communicable disease in large cities
- specific movement for cremation (Pennsylvania and New York “Dutch” with Arian roots
report of the massachusetts sanitary commission
1850- suggesting the establishment of a system of sanitary police with state and local health dept. enforcing regulations and analyzing statistics had an impact nationally
metropolitan health bill
state of NY
federal quarantine act
basis for the present day federal authority in the health field
sanitary commission
civil war by Rev. Dr. Henry Bellows, Minister of the all souls church in NY City
Dr. F. Julius Lemoyne
1st crematory- incinerated his own body
cremation
less than 1% at turn of century
support
-Atheistic medical professionals, german ethnic groups, liberal protestant clergy
Dr. Hugo Erichsen
Father of the Memorial Society Movement
Cremation Society of America
Jessica Mitford
brittish socialist writer. early 1960’s wrote American Way of Death
Undertakers Mutual Protective Association of Philadelphia
formal organization established the “black book” with a list of delinquent clients
Allen Durfee
compounder of embalming fluid. organized the 1st state association convention. 1st president of michigan association. ultimate goal was the formation of a national association
michigan funeral directors association
ethical advertising, price lists (price fixing)
National Funeral Directors Association
National to local level
1882
formation of suppliers association
2 motivation factors impelling funeral directors into associational action
protect themselves from excessive and therefore harmful competition from within their own ranks and from destructive business practices by manufacturers and jobbers
-thfe urge to bring a sense of professionalism to what had formerly been for many a mere trade or sideline
early leadership among new funeral directors
not the sons of already established undertakers but rather farm born self made men
code of ethics
commercial advertising
drummer
casket salesmen
“the undertaker”- sunny side
first trade paper publish became sunny side
“the casket”
most popular
“the western undertaker”
became the “american funeral director” still printed today
“the embalmers monthly”
academic works of the embalming scholars.
trade journals
after 1890 the trade journals and magazines became the primary force in communicating ideas and promoting professionalism in funeral service
Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890
passed by congress to protect trade and commerce against monopolies
National assoc. of general baggage agents
rules and regulations for transportation of bodies with contagious disease. submitted 7 general rules for shipping remains
1st licensing board
1887- Board of Examiners (Ontario, Canada)