The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE CASKET IS NEVER LOWERED INTO THE GRAVE WHILE THE
MOURNERS ARE PRESENT.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAS OBSERVED THIS PRACTICE AT FUNERALS SINCE
THE 1950S. UPON INQUIRING, INFORMANT WAS TOLD BY
FAMILY THAT THE CASKET WAS LOWERED AFTER EVERYONE IN
MOURNING PARTY HAS LEFT THE CEMETERY. THIS PRACTICE
IS SUPPOSED TO SPARE THE MOURNERS THE "TERRIBLE"
THOUGHT OF THEIR LOVED ONE BEING PLACED UNDERGROUND.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Date learned: 10-02-1971