Ostentatious Funeral Flower Displays

Here’s two great old photographs that depict over-the-top floral displays. Both images appear to be from the 1920s. The first one looks to be taken in a private home, but possibly a funeral home, and the photographer’s embossed imprint shows that it was done by Brack of San Marcos, Texas. Written on the back is “Elnora” and underneath that “L. G. Coovert”. Mr. Lewellyn G. Coovert, born in Indiana c1871, is shown in the 1910 census of LaSalle County, Texas and in the 1920 census for San Marcos, Hays County, Texas, with his wife and a number of children, including a daughter, Elnora born c1914. In 1930, his wife is a widow and Elnora is still at home, so I assume he died in the 1920s and this photo is his casket and floral offerings. In 1910, he is a farmer, but in 1920, he is shown as a “marble worker”. At any rate, he apparently had a host of friends and relatives who mourned his passing.

This image shows massive floral offerings arranged after an interment. There are no clues as to who or where, but this came from an Austin, Texas estate and so it could easily be from this area. There’s a large arrangement in the shape of an anchor and another that is a lyre. Although this quantity of flowers was frequently the norm in years past, many people now find this to be a distasteful waste of money, and prefer that donations be made to charities instead. I guess they're right, but these flowers are certainly impressive and I'm sure the families felt comforted to know that so many people cared for their loved one.

© 2010, copyright Stephen Mills