What odd customs of burials are observed in Romania? What is the significance of the clock as it pertains to traditions of death that took place in the past? In this article, you will encounter a host of facts and trivia that showcase odd superstitions and death rituals associated with worldwide destinations.
11) A Vietnamese tradition is to leave a stash of counterfeit money under rocks located close to monuments erected in the deceased honor so that they can purchase whatever they need during their journey into the next life.
12) As if the act isn’t creepy on its own, a rocking chair that rocks without the help of anyone is seen as a death omen.
13) In some countries, the family members of the deceased (with the exception of unmarried relatives and children) are expected to be present at the burial of a loved one. The family stands off to one side of the gravesite, while all the other attendees are positioned on the other side. During the burial, the family must not utter any words. At the time of the burial, personal objects of the deceased are added in hopes of making their journey to their ancestors much easier.
14) When mourning the dead, some African family members will wear black clothing or black cloths covered their backs. This ritual may last for weeks and sometimes continues for as long as a year. Widows are usually expected to mourn the loss of their significant other for one year. Children who have suffered the loss of a parent are expected to mourn their loss for three months.
15) Throughout Africa, some families are strict in their mourning rituals, when the men of the family may all shave the hair from their head and face to pay homage to new life and respect the dead.
16) At the time of a person’s death, some people believe that all of the clocks found in the house should be stopped. In the past, this practice was done so that the doctor or coroner of the region could pay a visit to the home and record the exact time of the death, which was later entered into the courthouse records.
17) In Romanian, the burial customs of the locals are often considered pretty restricting. For example, no burials are said to take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays.
18) The majority of Romanians believed in the afterlife and believes that people are separated by the age at which they died because they feel it isn’t good for the dead to be left behind.
19) During the funeral, a Romanian woman known for her singing prowess is chosen to belt out the ceremonial funeral songs, but this woman cannot be closely related to the person who has recently passed away. Songs are given their own time to be sung during the ceremony. Always sung first is the tune called “Song of the Dawn,” which is heard at morning time as a way to alert the locals of a village that a death has taken place.