58 
THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
':^10orre5ponelence.l^ 
The Modern Cemetery. 
The Modern Cemetery having recently come 
to hand, I am naturally brought to the con- 
templation of the v^arious topics therein treated. 
The term Modern Cemetery justly implies an insti- 
tution much improved within the present genera- 
tion or some assumed limit of time. 
If this Modern Cemetery thoroughly satisfies 
the need required we would prefer to call it also a 
Model Cemetery. 
The Cremationist implies by his action that thus 
far the work fails to meet his peculiar demands, or 
wishes. The writer having always felt an aversion 
to'that method of hasty extinguishment, naturally 
hopes to avert it. He does not believe that the 
animal or physical sensibilities of men can be recon- 
ciled to such a system. Age and cold heartless 
logic sometimes will quench the finer sensibilities 
and partially prepare us to accept the inevitable, 
but nature forbids a full reconciliation. 
The young, the affectionate, the sensitive, will 
always revolt at any needlessly hasty destruction of 
that personal representative form they have sacredly 
loved to cherish and to remember. Never the less 
there can be no alternative but the living and dead 
must separate, and the ordeal .should be made as 
kindly in form and character as possible. 
The time honored, quiet religious funeral is 
compatible with either method, but the inter- 
ment in Sweet Mother Earth amid cleanly and taste- 
ful surroundings seemed to meet the tender sensi- 
tive and humane sentiment better than hasty 
destruction, as by fire.. 
The model cemetery will thoroughly respect all 
requisite sanitary rules, whatever citation of facts 
brought forward by advocate of cremation the model 
cemetery must prepare for and fairly meet. 
In the model cemetery a system will be devised 
that effectually prevents the toleration of needless 
troublesome encumbrances that hinder or prevent 
the workmen from keeping every portion of im- 
proved ground clean and tidy. 
The system of finance must not depend upon the 
optional liberality of dead peoples friends; nor can 
neglect be tolerated because some people die poor; 
all must have proper interments whether rich or 
poor and the same principle will apply to the regu- 
lar necessary care of the graves. The single grave 
section should be provided with all the care needed 
to make the external appearence respectable, or 
their remains a blemish upon the plan which thus 
fails to meet the idea contemplated. All drives, 
walks and lawns should have ample care and atten- 
tion. Vaults, tombs, monuments and graves will 
need attention and occasionally repairs will be 
needed when they were not anticipated but such a 
condition must have some proper remedy. 
With these general outlines and possibly many 
more the model cemetery has to cope until the true 
end or purpose .shall be attained, and yet I believe 
the solution will come. The plan and the effort 
needed to attain it, are before the people and the 
people are strong, I am sure they are willing. 
The organization known as The Association of 
American Cemetery Superintendents will prove to 
be a factor of much force towards the accomplish- 
ment of the true ideal, and the testimony they 
furnish will be weighed with increasing considera- 
tion as time advances. 
The perpetual care fund is another very import- 
ant factor, every association that assumes to provide 
interment .should arrange for their work with this in 
view, and charges for lots must be borne — by those 
able to meet them, and thus enable the trustees to’ 
provide a prudent and regular care. 
B..F. Hatiieway. 
Contributed. 
The Cemetery Superintendents’ Association. 
In the course of his daily routine, the average 
cemetery superintendent has to attempt, with the 
best means at his disposal, the solution of many 
problems which may prove more or less difficult ac- 
cording to circumstances, but which are quite sure 
to cover a tolerable wide range of subjects. About 
some of these the information he needs can be read- 
ily obtained, but there are others which can better 
be studied with the help of those whose longer or 
wider e.xperience enables to advise. 
To meet this among other wants, there was 
formed in 1887, the Association of American Ceme- 
tery Superintendents who have held annual meet- 
ings in some of the larger cities, and who expect to 
hold their seventh meeting in Minneapolis in Aug- 
ust, thereby affording to those who desire to im- 
prove, and what superintendent does not, an oppor- 
tunity not to be neglected, of compaired notes with 
others engaged in similar lines of work, of listening 
to papers on topics of special interest and of visiting 
together such cemeteries as are in the neighborhood, 
not to mention those which may be visited in small- 
er parties on the way to or from the meeting. 
By comparing his own work and method with 
those of others, the superintendent is far more like- 
ly to become aware of his own short comings, and 
at the same time is encouraged to improve his 
standard and to make the most of the opportunities 
at his disposal. He is also led, almost unconscious- 
ly, to take a broader view of things, and is less likely 
to be satisfied to remain in a rut. 
