25 DECEMBER 1942, Page 12

FUNERAL WASTE

Snt,—In his article Professor Hermann Levy says; "Funerals should be standardised, and democratic equality should be regarded as a fitting honour to the dead. . . . Cemeteries should be of a dignified simplicity ; so should crosses and headstones." It may be of interest to your readers to know that one branch of the Protestant Church—the Moravian—has always marked such " democratic equality " in the private burial-grounds which it possesses by ordaining that the headstones on graves shall be all of the same size. These are approximately 3 feet x 11 feet and are laid fiat. The inscriptions include only the name, date of death and age of the deceased. One person only is buried in each grave. This custom is one which symbolises not only that democratic equality for which Professor Levy pleads, but is one which also imparts a dignified simplicity to the cemetery or burial ground. There is no comparison between such a burial ground and any public cemetery which is not in favour of the former. The Moravian burial-ground at 381 King's Road, Chelsea, may always be seen by anyone who is interested.—Yours, &c.,

Moravian Church, Priory Road, Hornsey, N. 8. LEWIS J. BRITTON.