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Funeral of President Joseph F. Smith

As before stated in the Era, owing to health conditions no public services were held for President Joseph F. Smith, except burial exercises at the cemetery, but it is designed that as soon as opportunity offers and health conditions will permit, that memorial services will be held throughout the Church.

Many people called at the residence on the morning of November 22, the day of the burial, and were permitted to take a last look at the great leader, so insistent was the demand for this privilege. Thousands of cards and letters of condolence had been received, also a very large number of beautiful floral tributes.

The funeral train was arranged under direction of Elders George Albert Smith, Stephen L. Richards and Richard R. Lyman. It consisted of upwards of one hundred and fifty closed automobiles, more than a mile in length, preceded by a platoon of mounted police. Then followed in order, the city commission, state officials, general authorities of the Church, the hearse, next to which were the family, followed by the members of the general boards of the six auxiliary organizations in their order-Relief Society, Sunday School, Y. M. M. I. A., Y. L. M. I. A., Primary and Religion Class-Temple workers, employees of the President's office, officials and directors of business organizations with which President Smith had been associated, followed by large numbers of friends of the President and his family.

Thousands of people thronged the streets to witness the procession. Traffic was suspended east of Main, on South Temple street, and the great majority of business houses were closed for the noon hour, during the exercises at the cemetery, out of respect to the President and his family, by order of the state and city officials. Notwithstanding the cold weather, many stood with bared heads as the hearse passed by. South Temple from Main to Second East, was crowded with people and automobiles.

As the throngs gathered, the great bell in the Catholic cathedral on South Temple street tolled a solemn requiem, by order of Bishop Joseph S. Glass.

Members of the quorum of Twelve Apostles officiated at the Beehive house; and in conveying the casket to the hearse, the active pallbearers were Elders Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay, Anthony W. Ivins, James E. Talmage, Stephen L. Richards and Richard R. Lyman, of the Council of Twelve apostles. Accompanying them as honorary pallbearers were Presidents Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose and Heber J. Grant, Elders Rudger Clawson, George Albert Smith and Presiding Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith.

The body was encased in an all-metal casket, covered with flowers from near and far, sent by loving friends during the morning and for two days before.

At the cemetery, where brief exercises were held, a temporary pulpit was erected, draped in white, with the American flag and the Hawaiian leis. The remains were buried directly east of the monument recently erected to the father of the beloved President, Patriarch Hyrum Smith.