October 2018

Page A22 OCTOBER 2018 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Lincoln’s coffin left Baltimore bound for Harrisburg at 3:00 p.m. Traveling through Pennsylvania the funeral train stopped at York, where a group of ladies placed a beautiful wreath on the President’s coffin. Lincoln’s funeral train arrived in Harrisburg at 8:35 p.m., Todd W. Van Beck is associated with John A. Gupton College in Nashville, and has been an author, teacher, practitioner, and speak- er for over 40 years. On May 30, 2018 Van Beck celebrated 50 years in funeral service. You can reach Todd at 615-327-3927. www.nomispublications.com Funeral Home & Cemetery News Contributors share insights and exchange ideas. Blogs April 21, Friday. Lincoln had been dead one week. There were heavy downpours in the city and it was impos- sible for the funeral procession to proceed with the intended military and civic display. By Todd Van Beck President Lincoln had died. The country was stunned and the funeral profession would be forever changed over the next 20 days. There’s been nothing comparable to Lincoln’s final odyssey. It made the unreal real for millions, some 90 years before the advent of television. This is part 4 of our 18 month series as we delve into the 1,654-mile journey with highlights of funerals held in 12 cities. We will conclude with some insight into John Wilkes Booth as well as having some fun with Lincoln trivia and an- swers to some of the questions I am asked during my presen- tations. When I present my Lincoln assassination program I always have a packed house. I have found that even those that dislike history have a great interest in the Lincoln funer- al. Anyway that is one old undertaker’s opinion. –TVB The Lincoln Funeral Diary Route of Lincoln’s Funeral Train the military and civic funeral profession. After all of the appointed dignitaries viewed Lincoln for the last time, Mr. Sands, the government undertaker closed the coffin. During the funeral procession leaving Harrisburg salute Waiting at the train de- pot in Harrisburg was Peter K. and James R. Boyd who were the undertakers from Boyd & Company. The Boyd & Company Under- takers were the most prom- inent funeral directors in the city. Regardless of the weather throngs of people lined the street and followed the fu- neral coach to the Pennsyl- vania State House, where the body lay in state in the guns were being fired throughout the trip to the train depot. The rain had stopped, but the roads were still a muddy mess. At 11:00 a.m. the funeral procession ar- rived at the Harrisburg depot. An assem- bly from Elizabethtown, as well as farmers from the Pennsylvania countryside and villages gathered around the funeral car. As the funeral train progressed through Pennsylvania not less than 20,000 people gathered at Lancaster where the train depot was wreathed with flags lined with black fringes and studded with rosettes of stars. On either side of the train, in line, were lit- erary and religious societies. Sitting quietly House of Representatives. The hall was draped in the most artistic style, and in the center, behind the Speaker’s desk was a large portrait of Presi- watching from his carriage was Lincoln’s predecessor, former President James Buchanan, a resident of Lancaster. Through Parkersburg the people lined the funeral route as mourning spectators. From poles erected on both sides of the railroad line floated drooping flags draped in mourning. In the suburbs of Philadelphia tastefully draped private residences and large crowds evidenced how truly the peo- ple felt their sorrow. As the funeral train approached the heart of Philadelphia, the crowds of people increased and funeral guns pealed forth. The entire funeral rout from Baltimore to Philadelphia was a scene of crowds of sorrowing people, for between villages and towns, all the way, farmers and their families gathering in fields and in houses to reverently gaze at the moving funeral cortege. Next time the train stops in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Train bearing body of President Lincoln at Pennsylvania R.R. Station, Harrisburg, 1865 dent Lincoln. The Speak- er’s desk was handsomely interworked with chap- lets of flowers. Through- out Harrisburg houses were draped in mourn- ing. The entire city was si- lent with reverence for the dead President. The coffin lay upon a catafalque around which lay a great wreath of white flowering almonds. Boyd & Company Un- dertakers along with FrankT. Sands, the undertaker appointed by the government to accompany the funeral train now opened the lid of the coffin where the overflow crowd of mourners could view the remains from nine to twelve o’clock at which time the great Hall of Representatives would be closed. At midnight the doors of the chamber and the coffin were closed. At seven o’clock the next morning the coffin was opened. The doors of the hall were thrown open and the vast assembly commenced to enter promptly at 7:00 a.m. At this time the military was forming outside of the capitol building for the escort back to the train station. At 9:00 a.m. the hall of the House of Representatives was closed to all citizens and soldiers except those taking part in Experienced in helping funeral professionals with all their shipping needs since 1978. » Domestic Shipping » International Shipping » Removal » Embalming Exceptional Service » No Exceptions (800) 321-0566 www.shipinman.com V i s i t u s a t B o o t h 1 9 2 8 Affinity Memorial Chapel hosts a Community Tribute to Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin’s greatest hits. Blessings Food Truck kept the at- tendees fed. In addition, guests en- joyed an array of donated sweet treats as they relaxed and watched a memorial DVD highlighting the memory of Ms. Franklin. Community members signed a personalized guest book provided by Strawberry Designs. On display was a beautiful tapestry memorial blanket, which was gifted by Fu- neral Home Gifts , a gorgeous ar- rangement of purple flowers pro- vided by Battiste LaFleur Galleria, and purple and white balloon tow- ers made by Good Time Mascots. A resolution from the Columbus City Council President, Shannon G. Hardin and City Council Mem- bers was read and put on display. Keepsake programs designed by Aline Davis, and personalized fans created by Remembrance Keep- sakes were definitely memorabilia that attendees will be able to cher- ish for years to come. Continued from Page A2 Owner of Affinity Memorial Cha- pel, Lori Diaz was interviewed by local news media. When asked why she organized the event she cit- ed growing up listening to Aretha Franklin in her home. She praised Aretha Franklin for being a trail- blazer and providing inspiration for women entrepreneurs and dreamers across the country. Inside, the stage was managed by La Ti Do Music Company. In- ternational, national and local art- ists, including Joshua E. Powell Jr., Naneyere Thomas, and Marvin Miller Jr., performed various ren- ditions of Ms. Franklin’s popular music. Outside, local artist Marc Thomas painted while DJ Heart Beat Sound played several hours of