For people, death has always been something special and incomprehensible. Many questions regarding this phenomenon remain unanswered, despite attempts by psychologists, philosophers, clairvoyants and scientists to unveil the veil of secrecy. For a long time various rites and signs associated with this mysterious phenomenon appeared and remained, and many of them are inexplicable. For example, why the dead man is carried forward with his feet, and what this custom is connected with, is of interest to many people.
Religion explanation
According to representatives of many religions, after death a person gains a new life. In Christianity, for example, during a memorial service, the dead are carried forward with the feet so that his face is directed to the altar. It is believed that in this way a person offers the last prayer to God.
But according to the beliefs of the ancient Slavs, the door is the entrance to the other world, therefore, by the way, they do not recommend sleeping with their feet to the door. After all, the ancient Slavs believed that a dream is a state, akin to death, when the soul leaves the body and returns only at the time of awakening. Another reason why the deceased is carried out with their feet forward is the belief that in this way the living indicate their direction. Such a ritual supposedly prevents the soul from finding the way back and disturbing the living. It is also customary to close all mirrors in the house with dark fabrics so that the soul of the deceased does not see itself in them and does not remain.
By the way, our ancestors did not carry the deceased through the door. During the funeral, a special hole was made in the wall, through which he was escorted to the last journey. After all the rituals, the hole was closed. It was believed that in this way the deceased would certainly not be able to find the way back and would not disturb his relatives.
Rational explanation
There is also a rational explanation for why the deceased is carried forward. Several people carry the coffin, and if you put the deceased with his feet to the exit, the carrier will not see his face from behind. The fact is that few can face the dead man. Therefore, there is a high probability that a person will not hold the coffin or lose feelings. But when moving a living person, it is more logical to carry his head forward to see his condition and, if necessary, come to the aid in time. That is why the deceased is carried forward with the feet, and the living person is the other way around.
The funeral of Christians
There are many nuances during the Christian funeral rite. For example, after all the formalities have ended, the priest or close relatives of the deceased should read prayers over him. After that, the deceased is washed, while reading the lines from the holy book. Then they put on a dead cross, new, clean clothes, and put in their hands the icon of the Savior or the Mother of God, depending on whether the man is buried or the woman. Close relatives should carry the coffin from home on the last journey.
Of course, it is best to learn about the burial and funeral arrangements from the priest of the church where the deceased went, because some details may differ. But in all cases it is better to have the dead person in the grave facing east. And the first handful of land to the coffin should be thrown by close relatives, and only then the remaining mourners.
The cross must be installed at the feet of the deceased so that his eyes look at him. You can’t conduct a ceremony for the great Christian holidays. These are the basic customs of how Christians are buried.
Wake
After all the funeral rites, a wake must be arranged. This is a kind of rite, symbolizing the offerings of the relatives of the deceased to those gathered. Moreover, a memorial meal is held repeatedly. The first time it is held immediately after the funeral, usually the third day after the death of a relative. Then they gather people on the ninth and fortieth day, when, according to Christians, the soul leaves the earthly world.
Subsequently, according to the rules of the funeral, relatives should regain knowledge of the deceased another six months and a year after the death of the latter. Also, the table is laid and treated to acquaintances in the name of the deceased, thus showing that they remember and honor him.
It is forbidden to exhibit alcoholic drinks at the wake, since this is the tradition of the Gentiles. And during fasting you need to be treated with appropriate dishes that do not violate traditions.
If commemoration falls on big church holidays, then they need to be rescheduled for the coming weekend. It is also customary to give alms in the name of the deceased in the first forty days after his death. This is the basic information about the burial and funeral of Christians.
Rite of burial of the Tatars
In any nation, they attach particular importance to birth and death. Among Tatars, for example, traditions are closely connected with Islam and the beliefs of ancient people. For them, death is the end of earthly life. Therefore, the elders in the family begin preparations in advance for their own demise.
Basically, the Tatars simply collect a certain amount of money, which will be required to conduct all the rites and rituals. And we will further tell how the Tatars are buried. There are many nuances. For example, one cannot leave a dying man on his deathbed. And they definitely invite the mullah, since it is he who monitors the correctness of all the rituals.
Tatar rituals
After death, the deceased needs to close his eyes and gag his mouth with a clean handkerchief. After this, the body must be moved to a specially prepared place. Usually, for this purpose, a carpet is laid on the ground, on which a mattress and a sheet are placed on top. And white matter completely covers the body of the deceased from above. And on top of it lay a green velvet or silk fabric. At the same time, the face and head of the deceased should be covered with a scarf, and his relatives sit at the head of the head.
According to popular beliefs, pregnant women and children should not be near the deceased. In addition, loud conversations and crying are prohibited, it is not allowed to drink, smoke or eat near the dead person.
Ablutions
Before the funeral rite begins, a table is prepared in the courtyard, and on the side where guests will not go, a special place is fenced where the deceased are washed. It is placed in a tub, a special wooden fixture with an opening for draining dirty water. Three towels are used for this. There should also be three washing people. While this action is happening, the old people behind the fence should read the prayers. When the dead man is washed, he needs to be wrapped three times in a shroud.
After that, the deceased is put on a stretcher and placed on a special stand so that his head is facing west, covered with a green blanket and prayers are read.
Burials
Unlike Christian customs, the grave for Tatars is dug on the day of death. If death occurred before lunch, the burial must be carried out on the same day before the sun goes down. If, after dinner, they bury them in the morning of the next day. They bury the dead man, relatives throw the first handfuls of the earth. To do this, use a shovel, which everyone is obliged to put down after use face down.
After that, everyone should wash their hands and begin the funeral feast. Worships are held several times, like Christians, on the third and fortieth day, and then six months and a year after death. But, besides this, the table needs to be set on the 7th, 37th and 52nd day after death. Here, in principle, are all the main points of how the Tatars are buried.