Meeting a hearse was once considered a bad omen
Since ancient times, the funeral rite was no less significant and complex than, for example, matchmaking or a wedding. Death – a villainess and murderess – was a vivid image of folk folklore, and the lamentations that were customarily recited over the deceased were masterpieces of oral folk art. Thanks to the long Russian winter, most often the deceased was not buried immediately – relatives had time to stay with the body for at least a day to feel the full depth of their grief. Ideally, the funeral took place on the third day after death – enough time was allotted for preparations.
As soon as a person died, the door was opened – so that the soul could go outside. And so that it would not have to wander unwashed, a glass of water was placed near the dying person. To determine whether the person had died, a mirror was held to the lips to check for breath. If it did not fog up after a few seconds, it meant there was no risk of burying someone alive.
The soul was to be seen off with lamentations by the eldest woman in the house. Ritual lamentations were a whole long song, which mentioned all the merits of the deceased, even if slightly exaggerated, as well as all those who mourned him. Mirrors in the house were covered – so that death would not 'spoil' the deceased.
Two hours after death, the body was washed, and participation in this procedure promised remission of many sins. There was a belief that if you participate in washing forty people, forty sins will be forgiven you, even if they are grave. It was preferable that someone unrelated – not among the deceased's relatives – be invited to wash the body and later carry the coffin.
Washing was often paid for with something from the deceased's belongings. In general, after death, many of the deceased's possessions were given away – not necessarily to relatives or acquaintances. The water used in the procedure had to be poured out in some 'dead' place, away from vegetation – it itself was considered 'dead'.
Then the deceased was dressed in new clothes, sewn in a special way: without knots or buttons. Sometimes a white shirt was used – for both women and men. The deceased's hands and feet were bound, copper five-kopeck coins were placed on the eyes – presumably so that the deceased would not look at anyone, and death could not take him away. A linen towel or a piece of white cloth was hung outside the window of the room where the deceased lay. A ribbon with the text of a prayer for the remission of sins was placed on the forehead. In the right hand was placed a paper with a prayer for the journey – after all, he still had to wander – and in the left, a handkerchief.
By the way, coffin making was also always a special art. The coffin was made from spruce or pine boards. It could not be made from aspen – because, according to legend, it was on this 'unclean' tree that Judas hanged himself. Wood shavings were placed on the bottom of the coffin or in the pillow that was placed under the deceased's head. The coffin had to be exactly the right size – so that death, using another loophole, would not take someone else away with it in a too-large coffin. And in a small one, the deceased himself would be cramped. Items especially beloved by the deceased were also placed in the coffin. For a craftsman, for example, tools.
It was customary to come to funerals in subdued clothing (preferably black), not to engage in idle talk, not to speak ill of the deceased (or well, or not at all). The coffins were taken to the cemetery by a special vehicle – a hearse – a special carriage decorated in mourning tones. In the old days, it moved slowly so that everyone who wished could say goodbye to the deceased or follow them to the cemetery. And hearses were a recognizable mode of transport – meeting them was considered a bad omen.
The grave was dug on the day of the funeral and they tried to choose a good place – so that the deceased would like it. Otherwise, death could return and take someone else from the family. And then a third – for good measure. Silver and copper kopecks were thrown after the coffin. Relatives – to 'buy' a place nearby, and strangers – to 'buy off'.
In general, funeral services gradually became a good business. People who helped bewildered relatives organize a dignified farewell were respected, but not loved. Moreover, funeral services have a history of several centuries. True, gradually the rite became as simplified as possible, much (for example, lamentations) was lost. But the essence – grief and memory – remained.