PARK AND CE/nCTCRY. 
71 
=? CRSnATIOH. = 
Nearly fifteen hundred bodies have been crema- 
ted at Fresh Pond, N. Y., German citizens leading 
in numbers, half the total being of that nationality. 
The United States takes next place with nearly five 
hundred bodies. Englishmen come next with some 
forty odd to their credit. Then in order comes 
Switzerland, Austria, France, Ireland, Hungary, 
Italy, Denmark, Scotland, Cuba, Holland, Bel- 
guim, India, Sweden and Norway, etc. Of the 
whole number about two-thirds are men and boys. 
* * * 
Cremation services have been officially declared 
by Masonic authority not to be Christian burial. 
The question that determined this decision arose 
over the burial of the late Charles H. Reisser, of 
Philadelphia. Mr. Reisser’s wish was to be crema- 
ted, and after his death his family decided to fol- 
low his wishes. He was a Mason, a member of 
Rising Star Lodge, Oriental chapter, and of Ka- 
dosh commandery. These organizations were in- 
vited to take part in the funeral, but Judge Arnold, 
grand master of Pennsylvania, rendered a decision 
that services at a cremation were not Christian bur- 
ial under Masonic law. The original intention was 
therefore abandoned and the funeral took place and 
the Masonic organization attended in a body and 
performed Masonic rites. 
* * * 
In speaking of what to do with the ashes of the 
dead after cremation, Dean Hodges, in a contribu- 
tion to the Urn, says: “Or better still, there might 
be a renewal of the good old custom of laying the 
dead away in the churches. Cremation would make 
that possible. Heaven and earth would thus seem 
close together. There would be no more removals 
of the relics of the dead miles away out of our sight, 
and that devotion to the dead which at present 
prompts the erection of great piles of carved stone 
beside a grave, effecting no good purpose whatso- 
ever, would lead to the enriching and beautifying of 
the House of God, so that all the worshippers would 
be uplifted.” 
':^I©orre5pone!ence.i^ 
Camden, N. J., May, 27, 1895. 
Editor Park and Cemetery. 
Dear Sir: — In reply to “Enquirer” will say if he will look 
up the laws governing cemeteries in N. J., he will find that no 
cemetery can tax a lot holder unless he or she may contribute 
toward improvements at their own option. I do think that it 
would be a good thing to have a law compelling all cemeteries to 
lay aside say 6 per cent of sales and use it for improvements. 
This would do away with the sad neglect of our so-called 
“Grave Yard.” Should the company object to the above amount 
let them add it to every sale allowing according to size of lot or 
single grave. 
Geo. E. Rhedemeyer. 
» * * 
Shall we Open our Cemeteries for Sunday Driving? 
Editor Park and Cemetery ; 
Dear Sir: — The above is a question I should like to see 
answered by Cemetery superintendents, and also by Park and 
Cemetery. The writer believes that cemeteries should close 
their gates except to pedestrians. Sunday is a day when owners 
of lots visit their grounds to pay loving tributes to the dead, and 
should, to a great degree, have the cemetery to themselves; 
quietude should certainly reign supreme one day in seven. 
G. S. 
The Sabbath should be observed in cemeteries by restrict- 
ing admission to lot owners, or to others by obtaining tickets of 
admission. [Eds. 
CEMETERY REPORTS. 
At the annual meeting of the Woodlawn Cemetery Associa- 
tion of Canandaigua, N. Y., the secretary’s report showed total 
receipts since 1884, to be $37,043.04, and for the past year, 
$2,315 49. The total disbursments since organization amount to 
$46,738.34, and for the past year, $2,310.79, leaving a present in- 
debtness of $9,700. 
* * » 
At the annual meeting of the lot holders of Oak Hill Cem- 
etery, Washington, D. C., the report for the year ending April 
30th., showed that 265 interments had been made during the 
year. Under the rule that all revenue above actual expenses 
shall be used in improving the property, the interest of a sum 
which has reached $157,000 is expended for that purpose. 
* * * 
At the annual meeting of the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indian- 
apolis, Ind., the secretary reported for the year, 848 burials in 
lots and 431 in single graves, a total of 1,279. The total of bur- 
ials in the cemetery up to June i, 1895, is 22,262. Receipts from 
sales of lots in 1895 were $17,124; the expenditures for the year 
were $30,000. The perpetual care fund now amounts to $153,- 
286. The Board places the amount which should be accu mu- 
luted for perpetual care at $500,000. 
» * * 
At the 46th annual meeting of the Easton Cemetery Com- 
pany, Easton, Pa., the Treasurer reported a cash balance of 
$1,925.55 on hand from last year. Other receipts $1,834.40 from 
the sale of lots; $1,308.22 interest; $2,592.50 from bequests and 
deposits; $5,730.30 collections for work done, and $2,350.70 
from mortgages that were repaid, making total receipts amount 
to $15,741.67. Total expenses were $10,853.25, which included 
$1,250 paid for a tract of land purchased. The total amount 
of the bequest and deposit fund is $22,669.50. and the total 
amount invested on bond and mortgage is $27,950. The presi- 
dent, Dr. Green enters upon his 46th year in that office. 
Association ot American Cemetery Superintendents. 
O. C. SIMONDS, “Graceland,” Chicago. President, 
G. 'W. CREESY, "Harmony Grove,” Salem. Mass,, Vice-President. 
F. EURICH, Woodlawn, Toledo, O., Secretary and Treasurer^ 
The Ninth Annual Convention will beheld at Richmond.. 
Va., September 18, 19, and 20, 1895. A number of interesting; 
papers have been promised. 
