The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

An old family graveyard had to be dug up and moved to make
room for a major highway that was being made in the Detroit,
Michigan area. It was found that one woman had been buried while
she was still living. This was known to be true because the
deceased had rolled over on to her abdomen in her casket and had
pulled all of her hair out of her scalp.

Submitter comment: This was told to the informant by a Grosse Pointe teacher who
knew it to be true because the deceased was her grandmother.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE

James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL

Subject headings:

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BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 00-00-1983