The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FUNERAL CUSTOM

PUT A FEW SPRINKLES OF THE PERSON'S NATIVE SOIL ON
HIS CASKET BEFORE HE IS BEING BURIED. THIS WILL
SIGNIFY THAT HE WILL ACTUALLY RETURN TO HIS
"NATIVE HOME."

Submitter comment: INFORMANT ACTUALLY SAW THIS CUSTOM PERFORMED A
NUMBER OF TIMES. EX: 4/6/59; 8/28/70. IN EACH
INSTANCE A WOMAN PUT POLISH SOIL ONTO THE CASKET
AND SAID A POLISH PRAYER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

Date learned: 02-09-1972