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Many of our funeral customs have their historical basis in pagan
rituals. Modern mourning clothing came from the custom of wearing
special clothing as a disguise to hide identity from returning
spirits.
Pagans believed that returning spirits would fail to recognize them
in their new attire and would be confused and overlook them.
Covering the face of the deceased with a sheet stems from pagan
tribes who believed that the spirit of the deceased escaped through
the mouth. They would often hold the mouth and nose of a sick person
shut, hoping to retain the spirits and delay death.
Wakes held today come from ancient customs of keeping watch over the
deceased hoping that life would return. The lighting of candles
comes from the use of fire mentioned earlier in attempts to protect
the living from the spirits. The practice of ringing bells comes
from the common medieval belief that the spirits would be kept at
bay by the ringing of a consecrated bell.
Originally, holy water was sprinkled on the body to protect it from
the demons. Floral offerings were originally intended to gain favour
with the spirit of the deceased. Funeral music had its origins in
the ancient chants designed to placate the spirits.
Graves Grave
Digger Charcoal Burial
Dolmen Lich
Sarcophagus
Christianity
Fear Funeral Custom
Twentieth Century |
