The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

DEATH CUSTOM

IN HUNGARY THE WINDOWS OF THE DEAD PERSON'S ROOM WERE
LEFT OPEN SO THE SOUL MAY DEPART. ALSO, THE HOUSE
OF THE DEAD WAS NOT TO BE CLEANED OR KEPT WARM,
IN ORDER TO DISCOURAGE THE SOUL FROM RETURNING. A
BLACK FLAG WAS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. CANDLES
WERE BURNED IN ALL THE WINDOWS OF THE HOUSE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT'S FATHER SAID THIS WAS A CUSTOM IN HUNGARY
IN 1901.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-22-1971