Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GERMAN SUPERSTITION
IT IS A LITTLE KNOWN GERMAN SUPERSTITION THAT IF
WHEN A KINSMAN IS BURIED HE HAS WITH HIM AN
ARTICLE OWNED BY YOU, HE WILL WATCH OVER YOU FOR
ETERNITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-21-1968
WHEN A WOMAN IS SEPARATED, DIVORCED, OR ESTRANGED
FROM HER HUSBAND AND HE DIES, SHE TAKES A RIBBON
OFF THE FLOWERS ON THE COFFIN AND HANGS IT ON HER
DOOR TO WARD OFF HER HUSBAND HAUNTING HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
IRISH CUSTOM
AT IRISH WAKES CLAY PIPES ARE PROVIDED FOR ALL VISITORS
TO SMOKE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECALLS THIS ACTUALLY BEING DONE AT HER
GRANDMOTHER'S WAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
JEWISH CUSTOM
AFTER A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY HAS DIED, IF A JEWISH
FAMILY IS VERY RELIGIOUS, THEY WILL PRAY AT THE
TEMPLE FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR, EVERY DAY, ONCE IN
THE MORNING AND TWICE IN THE EVENING. IF THE DECEASED
WAS A SON, THE EVENING PRAYER IS CALLED A "KADISH."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
RUSSIAN-AMERICAN CUSTOM
AT THE CEMETERY, BEFORE THE COFFIN IS LOWERED INTO
THE GRAVE, THE WOMEN OF THE FAMILY FILE PAST AND
DROP ROSE PETALS ON THE COFFIN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HAS SEEN THIS DONE AT ALL BURIALS
OF RELATIVES ON HER FATHER'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY.
RUSSIAN-AMERICAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
TURKISH CUSTOM
THIS INFORMATION WAS GATHERED FROM A MAN WHO WAS A
POLICEMAN FOR TWENTY YEARS.
HE OBSERVED AT A TURKISH FUNERAL THE CASKET REMAINS
OPEN DURING THE CHURCH SERVICES. THE PEOPLE WALK
UP TO THE CASKET SINGLE FILE AND DIP A CLOTH IN A
BASIN FILLED WITH OIL. THEN THEY WIPE THE PERSON'S
FOREHEAD, OR CHEEKS, OR LIPS OR ANY OTHER PART OF
THE BODY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JEWISH CUSTOM
AFTER A JEWISH PERSON HAS DIED, NO AUTOPSY MAY BE
PERFORMED. THE BODY MUST NOT BE DRESSED UP FANCY
AND SOMEONE MUST SIT WITH THE BODY TILL BURIAL.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID VIOLATION OF THIS WOULD RUIN
ETERNAL LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-05-1971
JEWISH CUSTOM
ONE OF THE INITIAL CUSTOMS OF THE JEWISH FUNERALS
THAT AMAZES MOST GENTILES IS THE BURYING OF THE DECEASED
EITHER IMMEDIATELY OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER DEATH.
IN MOST CASES, THE FUNERALS TAKE PLACE ON THE SAME DAY
THE DEATH HAS OCCURRED, OR THE DAY AFTER. THE REASON
FOR THE ONE-DAY DELAY MAY BE BECAUSE THERE ARE MEMBERS
OF THE FAMILY THAT LIVE IN ANOTHER STATE, AND THE
FUNERAL MUST WAIT UNTIL THEY HAVE ARRIVED. THE REASON
FOR THIS CUSTOM OF BURYING THE DEAD AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE, IS THAT THE JEWS FEEL IT PROLONGS THE
SUFFERING OF THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE DECEASED IF
THE FUNERAL IS DELAYED.
AT THE FUNERAL ITSELF, THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF THE
DECEASED IS PUT INTO A SPECIAL ROOM, WHICH IS SET APART
FROM THE MAIN SECTION OF THE FUNERAL HOME. HERE THEY
ARE SEATED, EACH BEING IDENTIFIED AS AN IMMEDIATE MEMBER
OF THE DECEASED'S FAMILY BY WEARING A SMALL BLACK RIBBON
WHICH IS TORN IN THE MIDDLE. THEY USUALLY WEAR THIS
RIBBON PINNED TO THEIR SHIRT OR BLOUSE. THIS SIGNIFIES
THAT THEIR HEART IS TORN AND FULL OF DESPAIR.
AS GUESTS ARRIVE AT THE FUNERAL, THEY EACH FIND THEIR
WAY TO THIS SPECIAL ROOM TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO THE
IMMEDIATE FAMILY, AFTER WHICH THEY GO BACK INTO THE MAIN
SECTION OF THE FUNERAL HOME AND WAIT FOR THE FUNERAL TO
START.
THE DECEASED'S BODY LIES IN A SIMPLE CASKET AT THE FRONT
OF THE FUNERAL HOME, BEHIND PARTLY DRAWN CURTAINS. THE
BODY IS USUALLY NEVER "FIXED UP" AND IS CLAD IN A WHITE
SHROUD. IF THE DECEASED IS A MAN, HE HAS A WHITE SCULL
CAP (YARMULKA) ON HIS HEAD AND THE TRADITIONAL JEWISH
JEWISH SHAWL (WHICH HAS THE COLORS OF ISRAEL ON IT
ALONG WITH THE STAR OF DAVID) PLACED OVER HIS SHOULDERS.
ANYONE WHO WISHES MAY VIEW THE BODY. DURING THE FUNERAL
ITSELF, THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY USUALLY REMAINS IN THE
SPECIAL ROOM UNTIL THE SERVICE IS OVER. WHEN THE
SERVICES END, HOWEVER, THE FAMILY DOES GO ON TO THE
CEMETERY FOR THE BURIAL.
AFTER THE BURIAL TAKES PLACE, THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY WILL
ALL GO TO ONE HOUSE (USUALLY DESIGNATED BEFOREHAND)
WHERE THEY WILL STAY FOR A PERIOD OF 7 DAYS, WHICH IS
THE INITIAL PERIOD OF MOURNING. THIS IS CALLED THE
"SITTING OF SHIVA (SHIVA PRONOUNCED SHEVA). DURING
SHIVA, THE HOUSE WHERE THE FAMILY MUST "SIT" IS ARRANGED
IN A CERTAIN MANNER. FIRST OF ALL, ALL THE CUSHIONS ON
EVERY SEAT IN THE HOUSE MUST BE REMOVED, (RATHER, EVERY
SEAT WHERE THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MUST SIT IS WITHOUT A
CUSHION). THIS IS BECAUSE THE FAMILY MUST ENDURE NO
COMFORT WHILE THEY ARE IN MOURNING. FOR THIS SAME REASON,
THE FAMILY MUST NOT WEAR ANY SHOES WITH HARD SOLES
(SLIPPERS ARE ACCEPTABLE OR JUST SOCKS). THIS CUSTOM
GOES BACK A LONG WAY WHEN THE HOUSES HAD JUST HARD
WOODEN FLOORS WITH NO RUGS OR CARPETS, THEREFORE, MAKING
IT HARD ON PEOPLES' FEET IF THEY WALKED WITHOUT SHOES.
ANOTHER CHARACTERISTIC OF THE HOUSE IS THAT ALL THE
MIRRORS MUST BE COVERED. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT
WHILE IN MOURNING, YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO CARE ABOUT
YOUR VANITY.
NOW DURING THIS SEVEN DAYS OF MOURNING, NONE OF THE
IMMEDIATE FAMILY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO ANY TYPE OF WORK
(INCLUDING COOKING). OTHER RELATIVES AND FRIENDS ARE
SUPPOSED TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CLEANING OR
COOKING OR PREPARING OF FOOD THAT MUST BE DONE.
USUALLY, FOOD IS PURCHASED WHICH REQUIRES NO PREPARING
(FOR EXAMPLE, SANDWICHES FROM A DELICATESSEN). ALSO,
DURING THESE SEVEN DAYS, DIFFERENT FRIENDS ARE SUPPOSED
TO COME TO THE HOUSE (USUALLY BEARING CAKES, ETC.) AND
PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO THE FAMILY. THESE FRIENDS USUALLY
STAY FOR AWHILE TO CONVERSE WITH THE MOURNERS, AND ARE
USUALLY OFFERED TO PARTAKE OF FOOD. FRIENDS MAY COME
AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS,
WHICH IS ANOTHER PURPOSE OF SHIVA--FOR FRIENDS OF THE
DECEASED'S FAMILY TO HELP THE FAMILY THROUGH THEIR
INITIAL PERIOD OF MOURNING, BECAUSE THIS IS SUPPOSED TO
BE THE HARDEST TIME FOR THEM. THUS, THESE FRIENDS HELP
BY TALKING WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY AND TRYING TO
HELP THEM OCCUPY THEIR MINDS.
DURING SHIVA, THE TRADITIONAL PRAYER FOR THE DEAD IS SAID
TWICE A DAY AT THE HOUSE, ONCE IN THE MORNING AND ONE
IN THE EVENING. THIS PRAYER REQUIRES THE PRESENCE OF
TEN MEN TO TAKE PART IN THE PRAYER. THERE CAN BE MORE
THAN TEN, BUT THERE CAN'T BE LESS, BECAUSE OF THE
JEWISH LAW REQUIRING A QUORUM OF TEN MEN FOR ANY PRAYER.
ONE OF THE MEN LEADS THE OTHERS.
THE FAMILY STAYS AT THE HOUSE FROM AROUND 7:00 A.M. UNTIL
10:00 P.M., WHICH IS WHEN THEY EACH GO TO THEIR SEPARATE
HOMES FOR THE NIGHT, AND COME BACK IN THE MORNING. AS
MENTIONED BEFORE, THIS GOES ON FOR 7 DAYS, BUT THE SHIVA
IS ALWAYS BROKEN ON FRIDAY NIGHT, AND THE MOURNERS CANNOT
START AGAIN UNTIL SATURDAY NIGHT. THIS IS BECAUSE FROM
SUNDOWN ON FRIDAY UNTIL SUNDOWN ON SATURDAY IS THE JEWISH
SABBATH. AFTER THE SHIVA STARTS AGAIN ON SATURDAY NIGHT,
THE MOURNERS MUST STAY UNTIL THE REMAINDER OF THE 7 DAYS
IS OVER. THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO MENTION THE FACT
THAT A FUNERAL CAN NEVER BE HELD ON THE SABBATH. FOR
EXAMPLE, IF A PERSON DIES ON A FRIDAY, HE CANNOT BE
BURIED UNTIL SUNDAY.
AFTER THE SHIVA IS OVER, THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY USUALLY
REMAINS IN STRICT MOURNING FOR ONE MONTH (NO T.V., NO
RADIO, NO ENTERTAINMENT OF ANY KIND). AND FOR ONE YEAR
AFTER THE DEATH OF THE DECEASED, THE FAMILY IS USUALLY
REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE SYNAGOG EVERY MORNING, BEFORE GOING
TO WORK, TO SAY A PRAYER FOR THE DEAD. AFTER ONE YEAR,
THE PERIOD OF MOURNING IS OFFICIALLY OVER.
ALSO, IT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE DEATH THAT THE FAMILY (AND
USUALLY FRIENDS) MUST GATHER AT THE CEMETERY FOR THE
"UNVEILING" OF THE TOMBSTONE. THIS IS A SIMPLE
CEREMONY, WHEREIN A PRAYER IS SAID BY THE RABBI, WHILE
THE FAMILY VIEWS THE TOMBSTONE OVER THE GRAVE FOR THE
FIRST TIME. WHEN THE FAMILY ARRIVES AT THE GRAVE AT THIS
TIME, THE STONE IS USUALLY COVERED WITH A WHITE SHEET,
AND IT IS THEN TAKEN OFF DURING THE CEREMONY. AFTER
KNOWING THIS, YOU CAN SURMISE THAT THERE IS NO TOMBSTONE
ON THE GRAVE WHEN THE DECEASED IS BURIED.
OF COURSE, ONE MUST REALIZE THAT ALL THESE CUSTOMS ARE
VARIED ACCORDING TO WHETHER THE FAMILY INVOLVED ARE
ORTHODOX (VERY STRICT), CONSERVATIVE (MODERATELY STRICT)
OR REFORMED (VERY LIBERAL). IN SOME CASES, ALL THE
CUSTOMS ARE PRACTICED, WHILE IN OTHERS, ONLY HALF OF
THEM ARE PRACTICED. AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE THAT THE REFORMED
JEW MAY ONLY SIT SHIVA FOR FOUR DAYS INSTEAD OF THE SEVEN,
AND HE MAY NOT OBSERVE ANY OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED RITUALS
WHILE HE IS SITTING SHIVA (COVERING MIRRORS, ETC.)
Submitter comment: ORIGIN: PARENTS AND SYNAGOGUE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-29-1964
GREEK CUSTOM
IT IS CUSTOMARY IN GREECE TO HAVE A MEMORIAL
SERVICE ON THE 40TH DAY AFTER A PERSON'S DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-13-1964
IF A MOUNTAIN CLIMBER HAS BEEN KILLED, THE ROCCTHAT
KILLED HIM IS PUT ON HIS GRAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
ONE HUNGARIAN BURIAL CUSTOM IS FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE
IMMEDIATE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED TO PLACE SOME SMALL
PERSONAL TRINKET IN THE CASKET.
Submitter comment:
DIANE'S RELATIVES ON HER MOTHER'S SIDE ARE HUNGARIAN
AND SHE HAS SEEN THIS CUSTOM OBSERVED SEVERAL TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
ALL SAINTS EVE
ON ALL SAINTS EVE SHE ALWAYS LIGHTS A CANDLE SO THAT
ALL THE SPIRITS OF RELATIVES WILL RETURN.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS DID THIS AND NOW IT IS
PASSED ON IN MY FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-07-1967
IRISH AND POLISH FUNERAL CUSTOMS
BOTH SIDES OF MY FAMILY HANDLE FUNERALS ESPECIALLY
POST FUNERAL ACTIVITY IN THE SAME MANNER. THE FUNERAL
IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY A SEMI-FESTIVE BANQUET WITH PLENTY
OF BEER AND LIQUOR. REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE
DECEASED OR THE MANNER OF DEATH, IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME.
THE BODY IS NO LONGER LAID OUT AT HOME THOUGH AND THE
BANQUET HELD IN A RENTED HALL. FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, I
SUPPOSE, UNTIL EVERYBODY GETS THERE, WE DO NOTHING BUT
DRINK. THEN WE EAT, USUALLY THE SAME FARE WE WOULD
FIND AT A WEDDING. LATELY CATERERS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED
FOR THE FOOD, WHEREAS WOMEN OF THE FAMILY OR NEIGHBORS
USED TO FURNISH THE FOOD. THE LAST FUNERAL I ATTENDED
WAS A 9:00 A.M. MASS. WE GOT TO THE HALL ABOUT 11:00
A.M. WE LEFT THE HALL AT 5:30 P.M. WE SPENT THE
AFTERNOON AS IF WE WERE AT A WEDDING, EXCEPT THERE WAS
NO DANCING. IF THERE HAD BEEN DANCING, THERE WOULD
HAVE BEEN NO WAY FOR AN INTRUDER TO KNOW WE WERE HAVING
A FUNERAL BANQUET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FUNERAL CUSTOM--NEGRO AND POLISH
THE INFORMANT, A LIFE-LONG FRIEND OF MINE, AND A
SUCCESSFUL SUPERVISOR IN PUBLIC UTILITIES WAS
COMMENTING ON THE WAY HE WAS LATE FOR OUR MONTHLY
BRIDGE GAME. IT SEEMS THAT ONE OF THE MEN AT THE OFFICE,
A SUBORDINATE, HAD DIED AND HE REPRESENTED THE COMPANY AT
THE FUNERAL PARLOR. MERELY IN PASSING, HE SAID THAT HE
SAW SOMETHING AT THE FUNERAL PARLOR WHICH REALLY SHOCKED
HIM. THE DECEASED WAS A NEGRO AND MY FRIEND HAD NEVER
ATTENDED A NEGRO WAKE BEFORE. WHAT BOTHERED HIM THE MOST
WAS THE NEGRO CUSTOM OF KISSING THE DECEDENT BEFORE THE
LID ON THE CASKET IS CLOSED. HE TOOK GREAT PRIDE IN
BEING PRIVY TO THIS STRANGE "FOLKWAYS," KNOWING THAT
WE, HIS FRIENDS, HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR
SITUATION. HOWEVER, I FELT IT MY DUTY TO INFORM HIM
THAT THE KISSING OF THE DEAD BODY WAS NOT EXCLUSIVELY
A NEGRO CUSTOM. IN MY FAMILY WHEN WE ALL LINE UP FOR
A LAST LOOK AT THE DECEDENT, WE AT LEAST TOUCH THE HAND
OF THE BODY AND SEVERAL IF NOT MANY MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
KISS THE FACE OR THE HAND. THIS PRACTICE HAS BEEN
DISCOURAGED IN MORE RECENT YEARS BUT FUNERAL DIRECTORS
ARE REALLY POWERLESS TO PREVENT IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
AS THE CORTEGE ARRIVES AT THE GRAVE SITE, THE CASKET IS
PLACED IN POSITION TO BE LOWERED. EACH PARTICIPANT IS
GIVEN A SINGLE FLOWER FROM THE VARIOUS BASKETS BROUGHT
FROM THE FUNERAL PARLOR. AFTER THE PRIEST GIVES A
BLESSING THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR THANKS EVERYBODY FOR
THEIR COOPERATION AND THEN IF THE DECEDENT IS POLISH,
THE "VITI KROWLEVA" IS SUNG. (THAT IS A PHONETIC
SPELLING). THE "VITI," AS IT IS CALLED, IS THE POLISH
VERSION OF "HAIL HOLY QUEEN." IT IS A CHARMING,
HAUNTING, PLEADING MELODY WHICH USUALLY PRODUCES MUCH
WAILING AND FAINTING AMONG THOSE CLOSE TO THE DECEDENT.
THE "VITI" HAS BEEN DISCOURAGED IN RECENT YEARS FOR
SEVERAL REASONS; IT PRODUCES TOO MUCH EMOTIONAL IMPACT,
LEADING AS I SAID TO FAINTING AND SOMETIMES HYSTERIA; THE
WOMEN WHO USUALLY BEGIN THE SONG HAVE DIED OFF AND THE
YOUNGER GENERATION OF WOMEN WHO MIGHT KNOW THE SONG ARE
RELUCTANT TO BEGIN SINGING; VERY FEW MEMBERS OF MY
GENERATION KNOW ENOUGH OF THE WORDS TO JOIN IN. AFTER
THE "VITI" HAS ENDED AND THE WOMEN ARE REVIVED, THE
GUESTS FILE PAST THE CASKET AND DEPOSIT THE SINGLE
FLOWER UPON IT. OPPOSITE THE BEREAVED, THE PALLBEARERS
STAND UNTIL ALL HAVE LEFT, THEN THEY DEPOSIT THEIR
FLOWER AND THEIR GRAY GLOVES ON THE CASKET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MOSLEM BURIAL
DURING WORLD WAR II THE AMERICANS FOUGHT THE GERMANS
AND ITALIANS IN NORTH AFRICA. THE MOSLEMS WERE CAPTURED
BY OUR ENEMIES AND MADE TO FIGHT US. THESE MOSLEMS HAD
A UNIQUE WAY OF BURYING THEIR DEAD: THEY DUG A HOLE
ABOUT FOUR FEET DEEP AND STOOD THE CORPSE UP ON ITS
FEET, THEN BURIED HIM COMPLETELY, LEAVING HIS CHEST
ON UP ABOVE THE GROUND LEVEL. THE REST OF THE CORPSE
WAS COVERED BY A MOUNT OF DIRT. WHEN IT RAINED VERY
HARD, THE GROUND WOULD WASH AWAY AND UPPER PART OF THE
CORPSES WERE VISIBLE, MAKING A VERY GORY SIGHT.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME AT OUR HOUSE.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-26-1967
MOURNING FOR THE DEAD WAS A VERY SERIOUS THING IN MY LIFE.
IF A RELATIVE, A CLOSE ONE ESPECIALLY, DIED, WE WERE
FORBIDDEN TO GO TO THE MOVIES OR LISTEN TO THE RADIO FOR
SIX MONTHS, AND MY MOTHER WOULD WEAR BLACK AND THE
CHILDREN WOULD WEAR A BLACK BAND SEWN ON THEIR COATS
FOR A YEAR.
Submitter comment:
IN MY CASE, THERE WAS A PERIOD OF ABOUT FIVE YEARS WHEN
AT LEAST HALF OF THE TIME THERE WAS NO RADIO PLAYING
AT OUR HOUSE AND WE CHILDREN DIDN'T GO TO THE MOVIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-17-1965
LEBANESE WAKES
THE WAKES WERE ALWAYS AT A HALL. AT THE WAKES, THE
MOURNERS WOULD STAY ALL NIGHT AT THE HALL; THERE WERE
ALWAYS WAILERS--DIFFERENT WOMEN WOULD BEGIN WAILING
AND LAMENT THE (DEATH) OF THE RECENT BELOVED. MOST
OF THE MOURNERS THEN WOULD TAKE UP THE CHANT OF THE
ORIGINAL WAILER AND WAIL.
Submitter comment: HER RELATIVES AND FRIENDS DID THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
MOURNING DRESS: WE WERE ALWAYS TO WEAR BLACK AT WAKES
AND FUNERALS. THE WIDOWS WORE BLACK AND A BLACK VEIL
FOR ONE FULL YEAR. THE WIDOWERS WORE A BLACK BAND ON
THEIR SLEEVES, INDICATING THEIR MOURNING.
Submitter comment: COMMON PRACTICE AMONG FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
BURIAL CUSTOM OF NAVAL AIRFORCE
IN THE NAVAL AIRFORCE A SQUADRON IS USUALLY MADE UP OF
FOUR OR FIVE PLANES. WHEN ONE OF THE MEMBERS DIES, THE
OTHERS FLY OVER THE BURIAL SERVICE IN FORMATION, MINUS
THE DECEASED MEMBER LEAVING AN EMPTY PLACE IN THE
FORMATION.
Submitter comment:
TOLD AT WHITEHEAD AND KALES MILL STREET PLANT AND NOTED
ON ALL TV STATIONS AT FUNERALS OF THE ASTRONAUTS.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; WORK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |