Sir Titus Salt died on December 29, 1876, 150 years ago. His Funeral was held on 5 January 1877, and resulted in many metres of newsprint. These newspaper reports reveal the complexity of the plans and the numbers of people involved in arranging to take Titus to his final resting place.
The death of Sir Titus
News of his death was promptly communicated to Bradford. The Mayor, George Motley Waud, expressed condolences to Lady Salt on behalf of the town. The Town Hall bell was tolled for an hour, and similar observances took place at Saltaire Congregational Church.
Recognizing Sir Titus’s significant public service, the Mayor coordinated with the family and local dignitaries to arrange a public funeral, despite the family’s preference for a private ceremony
The funeral procession was scheduled for 5 January 1877. The cortege departed from Sir Titus’s home at Crow Nest at Lightcliffe. Proceeding to Bradford Town Hall, it was joined by councillors, officials, and a large gatehring of the public.
The route continued through Market Street, Cheapside, and Manningham Lane, allowing those unable to travel to Saltaire to pay their respects along the way. The final service was held at Saltaire Congregational Church, with admission by ticket to manage capacity. In accordance with prevailing customs, female family members did not attend the church service.
The funeral
The funeral prompted widespread public involvement. Meetings were held to organize participation, and various civic, charitable, and professional organizations were represented in the procession.
The Mayor issued detailed instructions for the event. Businesses along the route were closed. The procession included police, military volunteers, civic bodies, and representatives from numerous institutions. The use of flags and banners was prohibited, and the public was asked to observe the arrangements respectfully.
On the day of the funeral, the procession was notable for its scale and solemnity. As many as 100,000 people lined the streets as the cortege travelled to its destination. The hearse, followed by mourners and dignitaries, travelled through Bradford to Saltaire, where business was suspended and large crowds gathered.
The service at Saltaire Congregational Church included hymns, prayers, and an address highlighting Sir Titus Salt’s contributions to the community. The ceremony concluded with his interment in the family mausoleum.
After the funeral
Following the funeral, the mausoleum was opened to the public for viewing, and memorial sermons were delivered throughout Bradford. The event was marked by significant public respect and meticulous organization, reflecting Sir Titus Salt’s standing in the community.
The legend of his charity, compassion and business acumen had spread long before his death, throughout the United Kingdom and far beyond its shores, where his name and the manufactured cloth associated with it was known and appreciated.
You can read more about Sir Titus’s public recognition in our related snippet.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to historian Colin Coates for his research into the funeral and provision of newspaper extracts.