The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FUNERAL

MY MOTHER SAID THAT WHEN SHE WENT TO A FUNERAL OF ONE OF HER
RELATIVES SOMEONE BROUGHT A BABY. SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE BABY WOULD
HAVE TO BE THROWN BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE GRAVE. IF NOT THE BABY
WOULD CRY AND BE FRETFUL FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. THEY THEN BEGAN
TO TOSS THE BABY BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE GRAVE, STARTING AT ONE
END AND ENDING AT THE OTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-30-1972