Wow! You really lived up to my expectations. Some interesting ideas, and a useful website, but it doesn't appear to be a "common" custom which makes me feel a little better about my ignorance. The description of the preparations in the book did include stopping all the clocks, which I had heard of - although I had no idea what that was all about. I had heard that the turning of the pictures to the wall and the covering of the mirrors was a precaution which ensured that the mourners would not "accidentally" see their reflection and be distracted from their mourning by a fit of vanity. (Boy! Were they ever strict!) The precautions which are more about making sure the ghost / spirit exits the house are more consistent with the covering of the cupboard, i.e., making sure the poor "soul" doesn't finish up in the cupboard rather than exiting through the front door. On the other hand, wouldn't it be easier to just leave the door open? Or, better still, to take the coffin outside? I'm afraid to say that my first thought also was that it had a lot to do with keeping the visitors from "peeking" into the cupboard to see what the family had hidden away in there - and who knows - many a practical precaution was disguised as a family, or a spiritual, custom. I do like Max's "dancing teacup's" idea but it really doesn't seem to fit with the Scott's customs and traditions which always seem so "dignified." Some food for thought. Thank you! Malcolm Archive CD Books Canada Inc. President: Malcolm Moody PO Box 11 Manotick Ontario, K4M 1A2 Canada. (613) 692-2667 WEB SITE: http://www.ArchiveCDBooks.ca