The Journals of Martha E. McMillan

group went to the community cemetery to bury her. These activities indicate both the sentimentalization of death and the Presbyterian emphasis of hopeful grieving with the byproduct of communal solidarity. For example, they buried Aunt Jane in a rural cemetery rather than a family or church graveyard. Additionally, Martha comments about Aunt Jane’s passing in pleasant rather than grim words. For example, on October 4, 1898, Martha writes, “She peacefully passed away - What a long busy life she had had - How much we will all miss her - She was in her 86” year - but never seemed old - always young.” By researching the historical progression of America’s views on death, readers of Martha McMillan’s journals will realize the Cedarville community’s strong Presbyterian beliefs manifest in their communal grieving and perspective of death as a celebration of life. 151