This is a photo of the funeral procession for William Schroeder as it was leaving his home on East Fourth Street in Alma. Herman Richter was a the funeral director when in this photograph from February 19, 1892. It was common in the 19th century for wakes and funerals to be held at the home of the departed. In small towns, undertakers were usually the furniture makers who also manufactured coffins. In Alma, both Richter and Hasenbank undertakers operated furniture stores. The procession is lead by a man carrying the U.S. flag, a drummer, possibly pallbearers walking, a horse-drawn glass sided hearse, and followed by horses pulling buggies. A few houses are along the street, including a stone two-story house in the background.