Each culture has its own rich traditions of how to honor the dead. In the Appalachian Mountains,
Scottish, Irish, English and Welsh traditions from long ago are still observed. Many of these
traditions are practiced still, in the most rural areas, but they are also dying out.
The influx of
technology, combined with the mass exoduses of years past due to soaring unemployment rates
and other factors, are killing these beautiful traditions like Dutch Elm Disease has ruined the
chestnut forests that once covered the area.
In no particular order, there follows here a list of superstitions and traditions, and the reasoning
behind their practice. This list is by no means complete. There are many more customs and
traditions practiced by different clans and families, and many more beliefs than the author can
list here. These are simply the most common.
- Hats should be removed and vehicles of any type stopped when passing a funeral procession. This shows not only respect for the dead, but appeases any spirits who would try to torment the dead person's spirit in the afterlife.
- A wake lasts all night long. Sitting up with the dead was meant to make certain that no evil befell the corpse, nor spirit possessed it, and also to be certain that the dead person was really dead. Oftentimes, a person would be passed out, "dead drunk" from drinking some foul, poorly made brew or other, and so their loved ones had to be certain they were really dead before they were buried. It was also meant to be a party in celebration of the dead person's life and hopefully, good deeds.
- A cloth soaked in baking soda and water was placed over the face of the corpse, in order to keep it fresh and lively-looking.
- All clocks in the house must be stopped at the time of the person's death. This was so that a country doctor or the coroner could come and record the proper time of death for the courthouse records.
- A pregnant woman should never be allowed to look at any thing, or especially a person, that is dead, or it will mark her baby.
- All the mirrors in the house should be covered, or turned to face the wall, so that a reflection could not be seen in the three days following a death in the house. The first person to see their reflection in the mirror at this time would be the next to die.
- If you plant a pine or spruce tree, you will die when the tree is tall enough to shade your grave.
- Open all the windows, and place a dish of salt on the table. The open windows allow fresh air in, and help to get rid of any sickness in the house. The salt is to appease the spirits. If the person died inside the house, this would allow their soul to escape, so they wouldn't haunt the house.
- To hear an owl screech in the middle of the day is a death omen. A rooster that crows at night is a portend of a death in the house. This will usually happen within three days.
- Never cut a door into an already-built house. The person who cut the door will die within three days of its completion.
- A door that won't stay shut is a death omen.
- A rocking chair that rocks by itself is a death omen.
- Birds are unlucky. A bird flying into the house is the sign of a death about to take place.
- If a pregnant woman sees a dead bird, it means her baby will be stillborn.
- Pouring salt on the threshold of a door will keep spirits out. They cannot cross salt.
- If you don't hang a black ribbon on the beehive and tell the bees of a death in the house, they will get mad and leave.
- If you sleep with your head towards the door, you will leave by your heels, since you will be dead.
- People tend to die when the sap is either rising or falling in the trees.
- A sick person's spirit lies very low. If you sweep under the bed of a sick person, you will sweep them right out the door.
- If you cut out a dress on Friday and don't finish it, you will sew for a corpse on Monday.
- If the first lamb of the year is born black, you will wear widow's clothes before the year is out.
Every culture subscribes to its own set of beliefs, some of which are made by observance, some of which are passed on down the generations, and held as true. It is human nature to fear the unknown, and to try to find reasons for that which we do not understand, or which frighten us. Death is man's biggest and most common fear, because it is the least known denominator in his life.
Rituals soothe us, calm us, and help us to deal with our grief and sorrow at the passing of a loved one, and give us the hope that we may have helped them into Paradise, leaving this painful world we live in far behind.
