The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BELIEF

RELATIVES OF DEAD MAY SAVE THEIR LOVED ONES FROM DAMNATION
BECAUSE OF SIN BY LEAVING FOOD ON THEIR DECEASED RELATIVE'S
GRAVE TO BE EATEN BY THE "SIN EATER". THE SIN EATER IS USUALLY
AN OLD MAN (A HERMIT OR SOME SORT OF OUTCAST FROM SOCIETY)
EATS THE FOOD LEFT ON THE GRAVE AND AS THE FOOD IS CONSUMED,
THE SINS OF THE DEAD PERSON ARE ASSUMED BY THE SIN EATER.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Date learned: 05-03-1972