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societies. Their families are more numerous in publishing thanks for sympathy and keen
on quoting every one of their relatives. close or far. This resiliem social aspect of death
also shows in the rarer mention in these papers of funerals celebrated "dims I'inlimite."
Such private funerals often accompany cremation, and correspond 10 a seemingly more
"urban" and sonletimes "middle class" tendency.
With reference to these observations. such announcements in The Evening Telegram,
Newfoundland's major daily paper, clearly fit the "rural" or "local" pattern. "Cards of
thanks" and "In Mernoriams" respectively fill about a whole page or border on "personal
memos," "real estate," etc. By comparison with their equivalents published for Brussels,
both lypes of inserts are far more lengthy and emotional, however conventional their
form. "Cards of thanks," in particular, scarcely vary apart from the persons quoted:
DALTON
We, the family of the late Annie Dalton,
wish to express our appreciation and gratitude
to all who helped alleviate our sorrow.
Thanks to those who phoned. visited our
family home or the funeral home, sent Mass
Cards or sympathy cards. letters, flowers,
gifts of food or made conuibutions to Annie's
Memory Fund. Special thanks: to our
pastoral team Father Bill and Sister Emma.
To Father Terry and Father Glavine. To Dr.
L'lke and Dr. Ballam, Nurse Power and
Nurse Kennedy. To the Presentation Sisters
for visits and expressions of sympathy. To
the Knights of Columbus and the Legion of
Mary, to the R.C. School Board, C.B.C. and
the Town Council, to the Altar Boys, to Mr.
Dunphy and the staff of Dunphy's Funeral
Home, to all our relatives and friends. The
immediate family is deeply appreciative and
proud of our nieces, nephews, grandnieces
and grandnephews who by their great gifts.
made the liturgy at the burial mass so
prayenul; and to their spirit of togetherness
in preparing for such great fellowship at the
family home. It is impossible to thank each
of you individually, but please be assured
that your thoughtfulness, kindness and
prayers will always be remembered.
THE DALTON FAMILyl
I"Cards of Thanks," The Evening Telegram 4 Mar. 1989: 45.