The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AS THE CORTEGE ARRIVES AT THE GRAVE SITE, THE CASKET IS
PLACED IN POSITION TO BE LOWERED. EACH PARTICIPANT IS
GIVEN A SINGLE FLOWER FROM THE VARIOUS BASKETS BROUGHT
FROM THE FUNERAL PARLOR. AFTER THE PRIEST GIVES A
BLESSING THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR THANKS EVERYBODY FOR
THEIR COOPERATION AND THEN IF THE DECEDENT IS POLISH,
THE "VITI KROWLEVA" IS SUNG. (THAT IS A PHONETIC
SPELLING). THE "VITI," AS IT IS CALLED, IS THE POLISH
VERSION OF "HAIL HOLY QUEEN." IT IS A CHARMING,
HAUNTING, PLEADING MELODY WHICH USUALLY PRODUCES MUCH
WAILING AND FAINTING AMONG THOSE CLOSE TO THE DECEDENT.
THE "VITI" HAS BEEN DISCOURAGED IN RECENT YEARS FOR
SEVERAL REASONS; IT PRODUCES TOO MUCH EMOTIONAL IMPACT,
LEADING AS I SAID TO FAINTING AND SOMETIMES HYSTERIA; THE
WOMEN WHO USUALLY BEGIN THE SONG HAVE DIED OFF AND THE
YOUNGER GENERATION OF WOMEN WHO MIGHT KNOW THE SONG ARE
RELUCTANT TO BEGIN SINGING; VERY FEW MEMBERS OF MY
GENERATION KNOW ENOUGH OF THE WORDS TO JOIN IN. AFTER
THE "VITI" HAS ENDED AND THE WOMEN ARE REVIVED, THE
GUESTS FILE PAST THE CASKET AND DEPOSIT THE SINGLE
FLOWER UPON IT. OPPOSITE THE BEREAVED, THE PALLBEARERS
STAND UNTIL ALL HAVE LEFT, THEN THEY DEPOSIT THEIR
FLOWER AND THEIR GRAY GLOVES ON THE CASKET.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Date learned: NOT GIVEN