The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE SUNTANNED CORPSE

INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT SHE ONCE HAD AS A GUEST IN HER
HOME ONE OF THE MEN WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BURYING
THE DECEASED AT WHITE CHAPEL CEMETERY (TROY, MICH.)
ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE INTERRED AT THE MAUSOLEUM WAS
RECENTLY MOVED TO HOLY SEPULCHRE CEMETERY (SOUTHFIELD,
MICH.) WHEN THE INFORMANT'S FRIEND OPENED
THE VAULT, HE SAID THAT THE CORPSE WAS REPOSING
JUST AS PEACEFULLY AND UNDISTURBED AS IF HE WAS
SLEEPING. BUT THE STRANGEST THING WAS THAT THE
CORPSE HAD A SUNTAN, "JUST AS IF HE WAS OUT PLAYING
GOLF ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON." THIS WAS THE FIRST
TIME IN 25 OR 30 YEARS THAT THE MAN HAD BEEN
TOUCHED SINCE HE HAD DIED!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-29-1971