Mourning Customs and History

May Queen Crowned in Coffin A May Queen dies, but May Day still goes on and she is crowned in her coffin.

Pickled to Death Deaths from embalming fluid poisoning, often mistaken for alcohol.

Ashes a la carte Ashes of the dead eaten by the living.

A New Year’s Parade of the Damned

Ghosts in Grave-clothes Ghosts who appear in Grave-clothes, usually archaic in style.

Pinched Ashes Human ashes lost, strayed, or pinched.

Eating Holy Clay A disturbing ritual from Ireland where clay from graves is eaten to protect against disease and sin. Unfortunately more was ingested than just clay.

The Fortean Bride Fortean tales of brides and wedding weirdness

Kiss the Corpse and Then You Die The custom of kissing the corpse often led to death from infectious disease.