The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AMONG THE UKRANIANS, OLD FRIENDS OF THE DECEASED HAVE
AN IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY IN THE FUNERAL. THEY GATHER
IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH, HOLDING LIGHTED CANDLES,
AND ACCOMPANY THE PROCESSION WITH THE BODY INTO THE
CHURCH. THEY STOP THREE TIMES IN THE PROCESSION,
STOPPING AT THREE OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS. THEY
ACCOMPANY THE BODY OUT OF THE CHURCH AS WELL.
AT THE WAKE, AS WELL AS THE FUNERAL, ALL OLD FRIENDS
OF THE DECEASED NORMALLY GO TO THE CASKET AND MAKE
A BLESSING OVER THE BODY. THUS, THIS FUNCTION OF
BLESSING IS NOT RESERVED ONLY FOR THE CLERGY, BUT ALSO
FOR FRIENDS OF THE DEAD PERSON.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Date learned: 10-02-1971