Photograph of the Home Benefit Burial Club’s first funeral in Earle, Arkansas

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A black-and-white photograph of the first funeral of the Home Benefit Burial Club of Earle, Arkansas, serviced by Heilig Undertakers. A large group of men, women and children stand outdoors around a casket draped with flowers, in front of a large building with white-painted wood siding. The men and boys in the picture are wearing suits, and the women and girls are wearing knee- or calf-length dresses and hats. The men and women in the front row at center-right are wearing dark-colored clothing, while those who are gathered behind, arranged up the stairs into the building, are wearing light-colored clothing. In front of the light-colored casket, two young women kneel on either side, both wearing white, sleeveless dresses. The young girls gathered at center-left are also dressed in light-colored dresses and are holding bouquets of flowers. Behind the group, also at center-left, is a light-colored hearse with ornamental columns and faux-draping along the side.

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