The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AFTER A FUNERAL YOU MUST WASH YOUR HANDS IN A BASIN
OF WATER BEFORE (UNDERLINED) ENTERING YOUR HOME.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THIS WAS A JEWISH CUSTOM WHICH SHE
HAD HEARD DURING HER TEENS (SHE LIVED IN A JEWISH
NEIGHBORHOOD). THE WASHING OF THE HANDS WAS TO PREVENT
THE DEATH FROM COMING INTO THEIR HOME. THIS WAS DONE BY
FRIENDS OF THE DECEASED WHO WENT TO THE FUNERAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Date learned: 03-18-1972