Funeral rites in Russia, which are surprising today

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

A funeral is always sad. Today, many use the services of funeral agencies, which take on all the hassle of organizing the ceremony. In old Russia, this was not the case, and the peasants would never have thought of using strangers. The funeral rites were quite strict. Read what was forbidden to do during the funeral, who could sit on the coffin and how they dealt with the chips from the coffin.

Where were the chips from the coffin to be put, how did they pay off the undertaker and why the grave could not be dug in advance

Different areas had their own rules. For example, in the Perm province there was a taboo on burning wood chips and pieces of wood from a coffin in a furnace. The waste had to be buried in the forest or taken to the field along with fertilizer (manure). This was done so that the deceased would not be hot in heaven from the blazing fire. The undertaker was never given money for his work, but paid with wine.

The person was buried on the third day after death. At the same time, the relatives of the deceased had no right to take part in the digging of the grave. In the Orenburg province, it was strictly forbidden to dig a grave in advance and leave it overnight, but it was necessary to dig on the day of the funeral. This was explained by the fact that otherwise the devil would make a nest in her, which is completely unacceptable.

Who had to sit next to the dying person day and night, who could carry the coffin, and how the shirt was torn apart on the deceased

When a person died, his eyes were closed. This should have been done by a priest or (in extreme cases) a close acquaintance, but not a relative. But the Siberians believed that only relatives could be on duty near the dying at night, they also closed their eyes. In no case was it possible to sleep or even doze, and also to leave the dying one alone. The priests recommended continuously reading prayers over the newly departed, then his soul, forty days later, went to heaven without hindrance.

There were strict prohibitions for relatives. They could not bear the coffin, but had to use the services of friends and fellow villagers. It was also impossible to wash the deceased and dress him. This was done by widows in mourning. The shirt was not removed from the body over the head, but was torn. Permians dressed the deceased in their favorite clothes. However, many people follow this principle today.

How it was possible to cheat death and who was allowed to sit on the coffin

The peasants were afraid that death would not be limited to one person, but would return to take someone else. To prevent this from happening, various rituals were used. For example, in the Urals, after the coffin with the body was taken out of the house, all doors were immediately firmly closed. In some villages, relatives were not supposed to leave the hut after the coffin, they should have stayed at home and be there behind closed doors and windows. It was said that if this ritual is violated, the deceased will take with him more people who lived in this house. So they tried to deceive death, to lead it astray, not to allow bony hands to reach out to the people who lived next to the deceased.

There was a ritual of seeing off or "guiding". The coffin was set up on the logs, after which it was taken to the churchyard. At the same time, relatives could sit on the lid of the coffin. But again, according to strict rules: if a man died, then the children sat down, and the wife was not given such a right. When a woman died, her husband and children sat on the lid of the coffin, and so they followed to the churchyard.

And today there are various signs that many are trying to follow. For example, if a funeral procession is walking along the street, then you should not overtake it or cross the road. Seeing her, you need to stop, be sure to take off your headdress.

Why handkerchiefs were thrown into the grave and how one should visit the deceased in the cemetery

In Russia, it was believed that personal things should not be put in a coffin, otherwise they could drag their owner to the next world. In the Urals, a burning candle was installed in the coffin for the funeral period, which was supposed to help the soul of the deceased come out to meet God. In some areas, rites of "last separation" were used. For example, in the Yekaterinburg region, relatives and friends of the deceased threw handkerchiefs into the grave. Perhaps this is how the omen arose that giving this item is a sign of separation.

Many people know that it is not worth taking things from the cemetery, and today they follow this rule. In ancient times, dishes, handkerchiefs, towels, which were used during the funeral, did not return home. Moreover, in the Perm and Vyatka regions, firewood used to transport the coffin was thrown into the cemetery. When people returned from the funeral, they were not supposed to enter the house through the door through which the deceased was carried out.

There are traditions to visit the burial place of the deceased in the cemetery. It is not recommended to come to the grave on the birthday of the deceased, nor is Easter Sunday suitable. The explanation is simple: according to popular beliefs, these days the deceased is at the throne of God, so there is no need to disturb his peace.

There are also rules regarding the cemetery: you should not enter the main gate, which is used for mourning processions, but the gate. This is done so that the one who passed through the gate is not "taken to the cemetery himself." It is not recommended to firmly close the gates, as in this case the deceased may be offended and begin to ask the living to "open at least a crack."

When people leave the cemetery, they should not look around, and also say "Goodbye." In order not to get into the world of the dead, one must say only "Goodbye". There are many rules, and to follow them or not pay attention, everyone decides for himself. But still, people try to observe folk traditions in such a delicate matter as funeral and further behavior after the death of a loved one.

If the deceased dreamed, it is not good. And for some dreams could get real punishment in Russia.