The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GIRL ALMOST BURIED ALIVE.

IN IRELAND, WHEN SOMEONE DIES, THEY DON'T EMBALM THEM.
THEY JUST PUT A BOARD ON THE BED AND WRAP THE PERSON
IN A SHROUD OR NIGHTGOWN UNTIL THE DAY OF THE FUNERAL
WHEN THEY PUT THEM IN A PLAIN PINE BOX, SHAPED SOMEWHAT
LIKE A MAN, AND TAKE THEM TO THE CHURCH. WELL, THERE
WERE THESE TWO LITTLE GIRL FRIENDS AND THEY HEARD ABOUT
PEOPLE BEING BURIED ALIVE, SO THEY MADE AN AGREEMENT
THAT IF EITHER OF THEM DIED THEY WOULDN'T LET THE OTHER
BE BURIED UNLESS THEY WERE CERTAIN THAT THEY WERE DEAD.
ONE OF THE LITTLE GIRLS DIED AND HER FRIEND HAD A
FEELING THAT SHE WASN'T REALLY DEAD. SO, SHE TOLD THE
MOTHER THAT THE GIRL LOVED RED SO MUCH, SHE THOUGHT SHE
SHOULD HAVE A RED DRESS MADE. SHE WAS JUST STALLING,
YOU KNOW. AND THEN WHEN THE DRESS WAS MADE, SHE WENT TO
PICK IT UP AND RUINED IT ON THE WAY HOME, SO THEY'D HAVE
TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER ONE. FINALLY, ON THE FUNERAL DAY
WHEN THEY WENT TO PUT THE BODY IN A COFFIN, THEY SAW
A TEAR TRICKLE DOWN THE DEAD GIRL'S CHEEK AND THEY ALL
KNEW SHE WASN'T DEAD.

Submitter comment: MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS FROM AN IRISH RELATIVE, WHO
CAME TO VISIT HER IN DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-13-1964