occupation interpretation 1873 manchester

[mead researcher]

Hello everyone
I have an ancestor whose OCCUPATION in 1873 in Manchester was - COLLECTOR FOR BURIAL SOCIETY.
Can anyone expand on what this may have entailed please....?
The family at that time lived in Ardwick, Manchester.
Thanks in advance
Barbara
www.kirchneryoungtreeoflife.itgo.com

[Nessie]

BURIAL SOCIETIES, a form of friendly societies, existing mainly in England, and constituted for the purpose of providing by voluntary subscriptions, for insuring money to be paid on the death of a member, or for the funeral expenses of the husband, wife or child of a member, or of the widow of a deceased member.

[mead researcher]

Hi Nessie - thanks you for that clarification.  It's what I had guessed - just didn't like to think he might have been collecting -er-um-er - bodies......!
After making the BIG trip to Oz in approx. 1875 (have never found a record of his trip - though we have his wife and 8 children arriving), and fathering one more child, the poor man died aged only 48   
Thanks again
Barbara "Down Under"
www.kirchneryoungtreeoflife.itgo.com