The Mortcloth

[GR2]

From a handbook for the kirk published in 1709.

1. By the Directory for Worship, Upon the Day of Burial, the Dead Body is to be attended decently, suteable to the Rank of the Deceased Party to the Burial-place, and there is immediately Interr'd without any Ceremony. 'Tis most convenient that at such Occasions, we have Meditations and Conferences suited thereto, and that the Minister as upon other Occasions, so at this time if he be present, may put them in Remembrance of their Duty.

2. By the Old Book of Discipline in Mr. Knox's Time, annexed to the Old Paraphrase of the Psalms; after Burial, the Minister, if present and desired, goeth to the Church, if it be not far off, and maketh some Comfortable Exhortation to the People, touching Death and the Resurrection. But by the Act of Assembly 1638, Sess. 23, 24 Art. 22. all Funeral Sermons are Discharged.

3. By the Act of Assembly 1643, Sess. 9. They Discharge Burials, and hanging of Honours, Broads and Arms of Persons of whatsoever Quality, within the Kirk where the People meet for publick Worship: For perhaps at some times the People would be Incommoded with open Graves. Bishop HALL of Norwich was of Opinion that GOD's House was not a meer Repository for the Bodies of the Greatest Saints.

4. By the Acts of Assembly 1645, Sess. 8. Assembly 1701, Sess. ult. All Lyke-wakes are Discharged, as Fostering Superstition and Profanity through the Land. No doubt, Dirges have likeways had as bad Effects, and from the same Reason may be also understood to be Discharged.

[Viktoria]

Gosh, in the present times when so few can attend funerals , that is sombre reading.
Thanks.
Viktoria.

[Skoosh]

Prayers for the dead were taboo, still is, the dead were already judged. A reaction against pre-Reformation practices of paying the clergy for these. Check Guthrie's "Highland Funeral" & the absence also of women attending in Victorian times. I think this custom still went on when I was young.

Skoosh.

Been at a couple of funerals where the kirk wasn't used, service outside the house.

[GR2]

Cost of the funeral of Elizabeth Allan, d. Aberdeen, buried Methlick 1800.

1. Mr Catto, merchant Aberdeen, for rum and wine £1 7s 6d
2. John Ferguson for grave linen 13s 9 1/2d
3. John Ligertwood, wright, for coffin £1 1s
4. Peter Imlay, stabler Aberdeen, for hay and corn to hearse horses 13s 3d
5. James Imlay for hearse to Methlick £1 10s
6. John Lumsden, merchant Aberdeen, for tea & sugar 11s 6d
7. For bread 7s 6d
8. Grave digger at Methlick 4s
9. Meal, butter, cheese, candle, tobacco £1 4s

[Skoosh]

Remember reading of a family of Perthshire gentry who ordered a "Large Chaise!" from the carrier in Perth to take the family to the funeral of one of the Atholl family. On the day appointed the laird & his family were  somewhat discomfited when a cart arrived bearing a very large cheese! 

Skoosh.