The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

DRESSING AT FUNERALS AND THEREAFTER

WHEN A GREEK MAN DIES, HIS WIDOW WILL WEAR BLACK FOR
THE REST OF HER LIFE, MOURNING HER DECEASED HUSBAND.

Submitter comment: THIS STYLE OF DRESS APPLIES TO SENIOR CITIZENS OF GREEK
DESCENT. YOUNGER WIDOWS PRACTICE THIS, BUT ONLY FOR A
MAXIMUM OF TWO YEARS. THE OLDER PEOPLE ARE DETERMINED
TO WEAR BLACK FOR THEIR ENTIRE LIVES, AND THEY THINK
THAT IF A WIDOW DOES NOT DO THIS, THEN THEY FEEL THAT
SHE IS DISGRACING HER DECEASED HUSBAND.
THIS IS A GREEK-AMERICAN CUSTOM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1965