Blaney's Last Directions

It is usual for people in this country (out of pretended respect but rather from an impertinent curiosity) to desire to see persons after they are dead. It is my earnest request that no person on any pretence whatever may be permitted to see my corpse but those who unavoidably must. I desire to be buried in the north side of the churchyard of Tregynon somewhere about the centre my coffin to be made in the most plain and simple manner without the usual fantastical decorations and the more perishable the material the better. I desire that no undertaker or professed performer of funerals may be employed: but that I may be conveyed to the churchyard in some country hears which may be hired for the occasion and my corpse to be carried from hearse to the grave immediately without going into the church by six of the chief Tregynon tenants to whom I give two guineas each for their trouble. It is my earnes request and desire to have no upper bearers or any persons whatever invited to my funeral which I desire may be at so early an hour as will best prevent a concourse of people from collecting together: the better sort I presume will not intrude as there is no invitation. I have been present at the funerals of three of my uncles at Morville. I was pleased with the privacy and decency with which all things were conducted: no strangers attended all was done by the servants of the family. It is my earnest desire to follow these examples however unpopular and that no coach no escutcheon and no pomp of any kind may appear. I trust that my executor will be well justified against the clamor and obloquy of mercenary people when he acts in performance of the last request of a dying friend who solemnly adjures him in the name of God punctually to observe these directions. codicil I likewise give to all my servants five guineas each in lieu of all mourning which it is my desire no person may use on my account.