The funeral home or mortuary, according to B. Leo Schwarz of the Schwarz Funeral Service is distinctly an American institution. Establishments of this kind are not found in other countries. Mr. Schwarz says that this new development in funeral service originated in the western states and is now being adopted by progressive funeral directors all over the county, These establishments, Mr. Schwarz says further, "are an expression of the high standard of having in America. They grew out of the increasing demand of the American people for beauty and order in all things." We have institutions to take care of every phase of life, says Mr. Schwarz. "We have schools for the education of our children, churches in which to worship, hospitals to care for the sick, and institutions for the blind, the aged, and every kind, the aged, and every disability. And now we have an other institution - a perfectly equipped and reverently beautiful place in which to take care of those who have passed from this life." In Mr. Schwarz's opinion the funeral home has two great advantages. It relieves the burden of the bereaved because it takes away the confusion in the home which comes with the reversing of the usual customs and arrangements. And it enables the funeral director to perform his duties more efficiently and satisfactorily. Mr. Schwarz also stated. "Instead of making funerals more expensive, the modern funeral establishment tend to reduce the cost of a funeral director's service. It simplifies his duties because he can work more efficiently in a properly equipped room, and it makes it unnecessary for him to transfer his equipment.

Contributed by Karen Fyock - Undated clipping