The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHEN THERE IS A DEAD PERSON IN A HOUSE, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO COVER
ALL MIRRORS THAT ARE IN THE HOUSE; OTHERWISE THEY WILL FADE OR IF
YOU LOOK AT YOURSELF IN THEM YOU MIGHT SEE THE DEFUNCT STANDING
BEHIND YOU.

Submitter comment: IN GUADELOUPE, AS WELL AS IN MARTINIQUE, WE KEEP THE DEFUNCT IN
THE HOUSE. THE FUNERAL HOME JUST DELIVERS THE COFFIN TO THE HOUSE,
PUTS THE BODY IN THERE, MAKES THE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE CEMETERY
FOR THE BURIAL. USUALLY, THE BODY IS KEPT TWO DAYS IN THE HOUSE,
AND BY THE SECOND DAY, THE DEFUNCT IS BURIED. FUNERALS ARE
GENERALLY HELD LATE AFTERNOON.

Where learned: GUADELOUPE