I have a copy of the death certificate of my great-grandfather and my great-grandmother is given as the Undertaker, and it was true. She did bathe him and dress him to be placed in the coffin. > [Original Message] > From: Michelle Cole <mcole@go-concepts.com> > To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 4/6/04 7:42:00 PM > Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > > My Granny would always cover the mirrors when sitting up with the dead. > > I have a copy of her father's death certificate, on it, one of the questions > was "Undertaker" and written in the box is "Home Folks" > > Michelle Williams Cole > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "charles friedly" <mfriedly@adelphia.net> > To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 3:32 PM > Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > > > > Some people say the custom may have started because the windows were > opened > > for fresh air long ago when there were no air conditioning or screens on > the > > windows. People would sit up with the dead to keep varmints from getting > in > > and bothering the body. Cats were good at that so I am told and of course > > they can climb anywhere. > > > > I have sat up with my mother and other women at several people's homes up > > until the 40s or 50s. We had one lady that told funny stories to keep us > > awake after the family went to bed. Of course, we could not laugh out > loud, > > but she helped us stay awake along with cups of coffee in the kitchen. We > > tried to be quiet to let the family get some rest because they were > usually > > worn out from taking care of the sick person before they passed away. > > Didn't have nursing homes then and most could not afford hospitals for a > > long time. I don't remember anyplace where I sat up that did not have > > screens, but there was no air conditioning in the homes. > > > > Maxine > > > > > > > > > > --- > > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > > Version: 6.0.648 / Virus Database: 415 - Release Date: 3/31/2004 > > > > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > > > > > > > > > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > >