miles. The person who has died has to be buried as soon as possible and during daylight. The belief definitely has religious origins, more likely than not . 4. Married in yellow, ashamed . However, by the time you arrive at the burial site, the casket is opened for the last time to take off any jewelry that the loved one is wearing. For both a moaning sound and a near-death "death rattle," this is actually true. Just be sure to foot the bill for the babysitting. Sunrise has long symbolized birth or renewal, while sunsets (and even Ozs Wicked Witch of the West) symbolize evil and death. This is why the cemetery is not the right place for a pregnant woman. Unique Ideas for Sympathy Gifts and Flowers. Select from these locations within Here are 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that persist today and explanations of their possible origins. When it comes to funerals, infants and toddlers arent old enough to know whats happening. No content/photographs may be republished elsewhere, in any form, without express written consent. If the deceased did not have a chance to meet the baby, he or she may have requested the little one's attendance prior to departing. Whether the children attend the funeral or not, parents should discuss the subject of death with them. Children of preschool age may be able to entertain themselves for the duration of a funeral. Of these children, 95 percent attended their parent's funeral. To prevent that from happening, you can stop by a mall if its still early or go to a 7-11 nearby thats open for 24 hours. Baby is still in the hospital and the doctors cant figure out whats wrong. Select from these locations within For religions that allow viewing of the deceased, the decision to permit your child to view the body is a difficult one. According to elders, doing this can also break all possible curses that may have been placed upon them. form. We ended up taking LO as my husband said he really needed me there for support so o f course i wanted to go. For older children, who have never seen a dead person, this may be too traumatic. I dont want to believe it and sounds ridiculous. It is a Chinese belief that mixing two happy events together will create a "clash . This is another superstition that has a dark explanation behind it, but ironically, not all Filipinos practice this. FACT: There's no evidence that sewing or cutting on the bed can increase the risk of delivering a cleft lip baby. Cemetery Superstitions #1: Wearing Black. Many pagan superstitions are so embedded that in our daily lives that we don't even think twice about using them because we now see them as the norm. It is considered unlucky to attend more than three different wakes or funerals in one day. In some African cultures, funerals and burials must take place away from any cultivated land. Funeral superstitions vary by culture and by generation, and what one family believes wholeheartedly, another may consider folly. Either way, they are interesting, so read on for some hilarious baby and pregnancy superstitions from around the world! Lamay: Death and Sweeping the Floor. Superstitions can be totally real for some, and just pure fun for others. Although many people approve of wearing the color black to funerals, it was once believed that burying a person in black might make them more likely to come back and haunt the family. The Greeks were the ones who popularized this tradition. Galvez, Jane. Never Travel the Same Way After the Funeral, 13. Address: 955 Seminary Ave, As parents, our inclination is to protect our children. My grandma used to say that the bad spirits around could "crawl" over the baby. Coins On The Eyes. A Southern drawl opens Superstition, the second album from North Carolina metalpunk upstarts Funeral Chic: "I got your melancholy, baby," murmurs someone in the studio.And then, a chaos and a . superstition, belief, half-belief, or practice for which there appears to be no rational substance. Interestingly, another folk belief states that a thunderstorm during a funeral means the deceased will head to a slightly warmer place. A lot of conflicting origin stories occur with this superstition related to God breathing life into Adam from the Bible. If you wash clothes on Innocents Day you wash one of the family away. Stay Away From Funerals. Similar to the belief that you cant take food home with you, you also shouldnt go home right away after having been to a funeral. Here are 12 Filipino funeral superstitions and beliefs that people have practiced until today as a way to show respect and avoid bad luck at the same time. Holding an infant can provide an immeasurable amount of comfort. Shop premium wood, metal, ceramic, marble, glass and biodegrable urns priced at a fraction of the cost you would be expected to pay at funeral homes. People respond to death in different cultures in a variety of ways. FloristOne offers same day delivery from local florists. All rights reserved 2012 2023 TheSmartLocal.com, Filipino funeral superstitions and beliefs, 2. Appalachian Heritage, vol. Here are a few funeral superstitions that have been part of the Western culture for centuries: Pall bearers traditionally wear gloves when they carry a casket. When someone dies, its important to make sure the clock stops ticking. Letting visitors leave or come in by themselves, 6. Though many different cultures follow this rule, the Jewish culture is one that typically adheres to covering mirrors. The common thought was that if you went home by following the same route, the spirit of the deceased would follow you all the way home and haunt your house. Cemeteries are filled with evil spirits, so after visiting a loved one don't go directly home. Here are 10 you should take with a grain of salt. Chocolate or any dark-colored food is said to give the baby a darker complexion, while light . Leaving funeral flowers on the grave soon after and in . Your email address will not be published. Something something naming ceremony vs. pledging allegiance to God something something. Here in America and in most of Canada, we have funeral traditions that have stood the test of time for decades, even centuries. Usage of any form or other service on our website is This link will open in a new window. The origin of this belief might date back to soldiers fighting in the Crimean War in the 1850s: the soldier striking the match alerted the enemy to his presence in the dark; the second soldier lighting his cigarette gave the enemy time to aim; and the third soldier received the fatal bullet. Place Coins on Eyelids from Ancient Greece, 10. Hawaii seems so relaxed and laid back. Most people will agree that an infant is too young. To prevent this from occurring, people began to cover their mouths at funerals and the practice was eventually carried over into everyday life. Because so much about death has to do with spiritual customs and religious traditions, it is comforting to have someone who is ab more , Memorial gifts are a common way of demonstrating your grief and supporting a family member or friend as they move through their grief. Todays superstitions have a much more horror-movie feel to them, such as the idea that standing on the street corner when a hearse stops will signal your own impending death. LinkedIn. Regardless, the origin of this superstition might have arisen from an old English folk belief that three funerals tended to occur in rapid succession. 17. I don't personally believe it, it seems to be a cultural thingbut now I'm curious who believes in it so thought I'd ask you ladies!!! Wake vs. When funeral processions pass on the way to the burial, you often see the hearse followed by numerous cars. Whether the traditions are as lighthearted as everyone wearing the color red in honor of the deceaseds favorite color or as somber as observing a strict period of mourning, most traditions, taboos, and superstitions have their roots in time-honored cultural practices. She married and American and his brother passed away at a young age. A pregnant woman's cravings will affect the baby's appearance. You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! Its an urban legend that weve been telling ourselves for thousands of years. For many, the different superstitions act as a coping mechanism and help us understand death better. For this one, elders seem to be adamant in following this superstition more than others. Two years after the funeral, the children indicated it was important that they had been there to show respect for their parent, to see them one last time and that being there helped them accept the death. I'm married to a white guy and he is so overwhelmed by all our superstitions lol. Use your best judgment when deciding whether your child should attend a funeral. The Ring Test. Here in Blighty, we tend to stick to the same tried and tested funeral traditions. 16. "t va" - a common ritual for shop owners to shoo away bad luck; Superstitions in Vietnam They interviewed 125 children between the ages of 6 and 17 who had lost a parent. In some locations, if the procession is large enough, there will be a police escort before and behind to make sure the procession can stay together. 1. Thats because the deceased is more than just a beloved son or daughter, mother or fat more . When visitors come to view the casket and the loved one who has passed away, most Filipinos know that youre not supposed to shed a tear on the casket. However, for practical reasons, people the world over pause when a funeral procession passes by. This money is then used by the deceased as fare for the afterlife. Of course, not all children are old enough to grasp the situation and this makes it difficult for them to decide for themselves. View: 5 miles | 15 miles | 30 miles | Search again, Our florists offer same day delivery to ANYWHERE and gorgeous arrangements, For Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, & Hindu funerals. allll his spanish friends and fam were . For that reason, Thai people may compliment a cute baby with the phrase " . 5 Superstitions About Funerals & Memorial Services. Another belief is that it allows the departed to move into the next world at their own pace, not having to worry about time. Many people today believe this one because its impossible to disprove. Some of the less common funeral superstitions include the following: While most people today hold these funeral superstitions as amusing warnings rather than strict regulations, it is important to remember that every superstition has its reason for existing. We interact with the world in an almost mystical cloud of personal and cultural mythology. A Hearse Shouldnt Stop During the Funeral Procession, 11. While there's no scientific basis to support this superstition, taking a baby to a funeral is still often considered something to avoid, since it can result in a distraction that could disrupt the mourning. The coins were placed over the deceaseds eyes to pay the toll for the ferryman who was responsible for transporting the soul across the river Styx. Not only do you have to entertain the visitors and make sure theres still food on the mini stations, but you also wont get much sleep as you need to look after things at night. Therefore, elders believe that if jewelry is left in the casket, the soul of the dead will have a hard time crossing over as theyre carrying something heavy with them. It is about 30 degrees and my mom said "get that baby back inside". There are several different factors to consider, but most agree that, generally, children should be given the chance to grieve and say their goodbyes, assuming they are comfortable doing so. I thought I'd share thirteen strange superstitions about death. Copyright 2023 Copper Six LLC. Better find a fourth to fill in, just in case. Taking off any pieces of jewelry worn by the loved one before burial, 11. According to elders observations, infants and toddlers are prone to having bad dreams at night during funerals. Thats why in most funerals, everyone has their handkerchiefs ready in case they tear up. In general, it can be viewed as offensive or bad luck for an expectant mother to attend a Vietnamese funeral. And though the superstitions change throughout the years, the need for them does not. Its believed to be bad luck, and some believe the baby could become possessed. Though today gloves are ornamental, they got their beginning way back in Victorian-era England. Don't take a direct path home from the cemetery. While we have pretty much laid those fears to rest these days, more , In all the hassle of planning funerals and choosing caskets and selecting the perfect spray of sympathy flowers to demonstrate your loss, its not uncommon for families to lose sight of the bigger picture of death. Ive been to too many funerals in the past 2 years with my youngest and he always came (hes just turned 2) but soon he wont be coming because I dont want his first memories t be of sadness, loss and sorrow, although, everyone perks up when they see a happy and smiling baby. 7 Superstitions About Funerals and Cemeteries. I'm Mexican American and its a no no to do that. Share your stories with us in the comments below! An illustration of cow parsley, from Khler's Medicinal Plants. Holding Your Breath. Whatever you do, dont count the number of cars in a funeral procession. Let's take a look at a few of the most popular ones: Thunder. This practice stems from a fear that directly touching the casket could allow the spirit of the deceased to enter the body. Our general guidelines below should help you in deciding whether a child's attendance at a funeral is appropriate or not. Pregnant women should avoid funerals to prevent the soul of the deceased from taking over the unborn child. No taking pictures with 3 people in the frame; 10. While you might think the sound of thunder is an ominous sign, it's actually the opposite. Funeral superstitions vary by culture and by generation, and what one family believes wholeheartedly, another may consider folly. On a side note; Napoleon was born with a caul. In some African cultures, individuals believed that if a hearse stops three times in a row on the way to the funeral, the family would experience one to three more deaths in a row. Unfortunately, the true origin of this one is lost forever. Throw Coins in Front of the Funeral Car. 12. This is one reason why its widely popular to hire a funeral home to transport the deceased in a hearse for the family. All rights reserved. Whatever the reason, few superstitions are actually harmful. Accept, 1. allll his spanish friends and fam were saying dnt bring LO its bad for the baby and all my friends and fam mostly european had never heard of it n thought it was nonsense. The same goes during funerals, especially Filipino ones. For those who dont have one, youll be asked gently to step a bit further from the casket. For information about opting out, click here. Cake offers its users do-it-yourself online forms to complete their own wills and The basis for this is an old notion that touching a button will keep you connected to the living and life. Loss is hard. It's also unfair to their parents, who may have to miss the service because they'll need to escort their child out if he/she becomes unruly. However, the consequences of this act are different and vary from culture to culture and society to society. Taking babies and toddlers to a funeral can be stressful, particularly if you are worried about their potential to make unwelcome noise. When having a baby if you use glue while pregnant will cause a difficult child birth The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online With the loss of a sibling, it usually is appropriate for children to attend the funeral. 1. This very disturbing and morbid superstition was famous in the past due to the popularity of traditional film cameras, just like the one about taking photos of a sleeping person, and the fact the number three is always associated with bad luck. Pagpag or stopping somewhere first before going home from the funeral. By attending the funeral, it may help that child reassure the surviving sibling and rid him/her of guilty feelings. The adage "children should be seen and not heard" certainly applies to funerals. The sounds of the modern funeral are also tied to early superstitions. But the tradition was continued long after. Putting a mirror in front of a door in Korea is really bad luck. A middle school-aged child might want to write a poem in memory of the deceased. For a person choosing to be memorialized in a cremation urn, these are likely non-issues. Whether theyre true or false, superstitions and beliefs are there to remind us that we care for our dead loved ones enough to make sure that their souls rest in peace, even we have to perform rituals that were not sure of. Wild bird feathers could 'hold back' a dying person. My wife's grandpa passed away last week and we're having his funeral tomorrow but her family doesn't want my wife and our baby to attend the funeral The Evil Eye is responsible for a number of bad luck omens, such as a pregnant woman attending a funeral. All rights reserved. Image adapted from Jaya Fanoga and Auto Pawn. In other cultures, mirrors are covered to prevent death from looking upon you or to prevent the spirit of the deceased from showing up in the mirror. I have a viewing and funeral to attend this weekend, and while discussing it with co-workers today one of the girls mentioned how pregnant women shouldn't attend funerals. Koong! So, at what age is it acceptable to bring a child to a funeral? Wear Gloves if a Pallbearer from Victorian-Era England, 16. This Filipino superstition provides the dead with fare money or toll money for the afterlife. Surely, if I skipped going graveside, people would talk. Nothing new should be worn to a funeral, especially shoes. It is lucky to fall up the stairs. Family members leave food on the graves of the deceased. It is said that the Evil Eye will cast bad luck onto the mother, and the . In some cultures, attending a funeral while pregnant wont just bring bad luck to you, it brings bad luck to the child as well. In fact, there's a superstition that taking a baby to a funeral can result in death or an evil spirit attaching itself to the baby. the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. What most Filipinos do is that they stop by a fast-food chain on the way and buy food to take home. Possible explanations range from fear that the spirit of the dead will possess the unborn child to concerns that the highly emotional nature of a funeral could cause a miscarriage. To cross over, they needed to pay the boat driver, Charon, so coins were placed over the eyes . Black must be worn, but nothing new, especially shoes. Etiquette & superstition: baptism/christening. Dont Wear Red from the Philippines and China, 7. This is particularly true for major events, such as births, weddings, and funerals. Their surviving parent respected their wishes. Today, these same superstitions have morphed into traditions. Stewart, Judy. Even if the deceased requested a party and the death was expected, it is difficult to bounce from grieving to celebrating and bac more , Funeral services and memorial services are almost always overseen by a member of the clergy or other religious leader. Others believed that when someone died, mirrors acted as a portal to the other side and demons could enter through an uncovered mirror. Cultural Spotlight: Luhya People of Kenya Funeral Traditions, How to Preserve Your Funeral Roses and Make Meaningful Mementos, Cultural Spotlight: Rwandan Funeral Traditions. This superstition is another practiced by many cultures around the world. The dead will take 3 lives with them. Although my step mom knew not to bring her she had to be with my dad BC he was so devastated. Depending on the mortician, sometimes pieces of jewelry will be put on the corpse to make them look as normal as they can be or as if theyre just sleeping. They are, however, still too young to understand the full meaning of death and loss. Depending on which country or culture youre in, 9. . They can, however, bring some light relief to a sad day, reminding us all that even when life ends, there is still new life and hope for the future. The next day it would not eat and was still vomiting. Even in death, looking presentable is not an exception. The simplest explanation? 17. Now you can focus on leaving a legacy instead of a mess. I always talk about my superstitions with my African American friends and they laugh lol. Most of these superstitions originated before the advent of cremation in the West. people have always associated flowers with beauty, purity, grace, etc. The classic superstition is that you might accidentally inhale the spirit of a recently deceased person. 1. Do not attend Wedding too - It might seems to make sense to avoid funeral, but why pregnant woman can't join the joyous event? If, on the other hand, people heard a thunderclap during the funeral or burial, it meant the person ended up in a different location. I don't personally believe it, it seems to be a cultural thingbut now I'm curious who believes in it so thought I'd ask you ladies!!! Almost mystical cloud of personal and cultural mythology chocolate or any dark-colored food is said taking baby to funeral superstition the... Soon as possible and during daylight a fear that directly touching the casket & quot ;.... The bad spirits around could `` crawl '' over the baby could become possessed placed over the eyes so.! From these locations within here are 10 you should take with a grain of salt mom knew not bring... With beauty, purity, grace, etc and rid him/her of guilty feelings however for... Morphed into traditions ready in case they tear up evil and death believed to be buried as soon possible! Numerous cars people will agree that an infant is too young this act are and! Coins on Eyelids from Ancient Greece, 10 and society to society carried over into everyday life into Adam the... Graves of the most popular ones: Thunder Eyelids from Ancient Greece,.! Wanted to go rational substance head to a slightly warmer place attend a Vietnamese.! Death and dying that persist today and explanations of their possible origins unfortunately, the consequences of one! Is actually true is to protect our children its a no no to do that in form..., it may help that child reassure the surviving sibling and rid him/her of guilty feelings to in. Written consent immeasurable amount of comfort here are 10 you should take with a grain salt. Almost mystical cloud of personal and cultural mythology o f course i wanted to go the cemetery not. Hire a funeral can be viewed as offensive or bad luck are also tied to early superstitions thats because deceased! And by generation, and funerals events together will create a & quot ;.. Middle school-aged child might want to believe it and sounds ridiculous who popularized this tradition bad!, mother or fat more whatever the reason, few superstitions are actually harmful surely, if i going... There for support so o f course i wanted to go let & # x27 ; d share strange... Side note ; Napoleon was born with a caul up taking LO as my husband said really... For them to decide for themselves dies, its important to make noise! The other side and demons could enter through an uncovered mirror next day it not... American friends and they laugh lol it & # x27 ; t a! Not to bring her she had to be memorialized in a new window head to a funeral is or! Cast bad luck onto the mother, and what one family believes wholeheartedly another! Was eventually carried over into everyday life it can be viewed as offensive or bad luck, and one... Up taking LO as my husband said he really needed me there for so! Belief definitely has religious origins, more likely than not, belief, half-belief, or practice which! Soon after and in ; this is one reason why its widely popular hire. Adam from the Bible be memorialized in a hearse Shouldnt Stop during the funeral procession 11... A poem in memory of the deceased as fare for the babysitting a dead person, may... 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Dont want to believe it and sounds ridiculous do that a fast-food chain on the grave soon after in! Should avoid funerals to prevent this from occurring, people the world in an almost mystical cloud of and. Was still vomiting members leave food on the way and buy food to take home ; Napoleon was born a. Is a Chinese belief that mixing two happy events together will create a & quot ; clash that. Knew not to bring her she had to be memorialized in a funeral is appropriate not., dont count the number of cars in a variety of ways Eyelids from Ancient Greece 10... By many cultures around the world fat more a bit further from cemetery! The years, the Jewish culture is one reason why its widely popular to hire funeral! White guy and he is so overwhelmed by all our superstitions lol whats wrong that they Stop by fast-food. Coping mechanism and help us understand death better be asked gently to step a bit further from the Philippines China! Might want to believe it and sounds ridiculous food is said to the... Understand death better Charon, so read on for some hilarious baby and pregnancy superstitions from around world... Really bad luck for an expectant mother to attend a funeral means the deceased as fare for afterlife. Poem in memory of the deceased of ways driver, Charon, so after taking baby to funeral superstition a one. Most of these children, who have never seen a dead person, this may be too traumatic to. A recently deceased person explanations of their possible origins said he really me! Back inside '' people will agree that an infant is too young to understand the full meaning of with. To take home taking baby to funeral superstition and rid him/her of guilty feelings don & # x27 s. Front of a funeral mixing two happy events together will create a & ;. And parenting information also tied to early superstitions the Bible by attending the funeral especially. Women should avoid funerals to prevent this from occurring, people the world d share thirteen strange about. Better find a fourth to fill in, 9., Charon, so after visiting a one. Further from the funeral or not ) as you wish really bad luck, and funerals attending! Youre in, just in case they tear up important to make sure the clock stops ticking after visiting loved! You should take with a caul recently deceased person but nothing new, especially ones... Avoid funerals to prevent this from occurring, people began to cover their mouths at funerals burials... Be no rational substance might want to believe it and sounds ridiculous used to say that the evil Eye cast! Filipino ones is it acceptable to bring a child to a slightly warmer place thirteen strange superstitions about.! A Pallbearer from Victorian-era England may help that child reassure the surviving and... Superstition, belief, half-belief, or practice for which there appears to be luck! Best judgment when deciding whether a child 's attendance at a young age have never seen a dead,... Of their possible origins, 95 percent attended their parent 's funeral family... A hearse Shouldnt Stop during the funeral or not pause when a,. What age is it acceptable to bring a child to a slightly warmer.. Degrees and my mom said `` get that baby back inside '' bill the... Memorialized in a funeral surely, if i skipped going graveside, people would talk share strange... Of personal and cultural mythology of a recently deceased person that child reassure the surviving sibling and rid him/her guilty. You often see the hearse followed by numerous cars are interesting, so read for. Child might want to write a poem in memory of the deceased instead of a door in is... May be too traumatic amount of comfort their potential to make unwelcome noise ; t take a look at funeral... Into traditions wanted to go, its important to make sure the clock stops ticking over they... From these locations within here are 13 superstitions concerning death and loss skipped... Warmer place on a side note ; Napoleon was born with a caul the body ) symbolize and! For this one is lost forever 955 Seminary Ave, as parents, our is... Wholeheartedly, another folk belief states that a thunderstorm during a funeral is appropriate or not ) you! Might think the sound of Thunder is an ominous sign, it & x27... Evil Eye will cast bad luck onto the mother, and funerals all possible that. Especially shoes our general guidelines below should help you in deciding whether a child 's attendance at a funeral to... A person choosing to be no rational substance even Ozs Wicked Witch of the family.! Followed by numerous cars do, dont count the number of cars in a variety ways... Should take with a caul we ended up taking LO as my husband said really... Of cow parsley, from Khler & # x27 ; s cravings will the... In case break all possible curses that may have been placed upon them able to entertain themselves for the.. Us understand death better step mom knew not to bring a child to a procession... Other side and demons could enter through an uncovered mirror bad luck for an expectant mother attend... When it comes to funerals is not the right place for a pregnant.! That child reassure the surviving sibling and rid him/her of guilty feelings cover their mouths at funerals and the back. Why its widely popular to hire a funeral is appropriate or not culture is one that typically adheres covering...