If you look into a closet or linen storage cabinet that belongs to an elderly woman, you can often find a stack of brand new clothes that are kept separately. A dress or shirt with a skirt (trousers), underwear, a scarf on the head and even shoes - people who understand that the time of death is approaching carefully prepare all this for the day of their own funeral.
Why does this desire arise?
It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of what makes older people prepare for their own funeral. If the case concerns those who have been given a fatal diagnosis, with which nothing can be done, such actions can be understood and justified. However, in most cases, grandmothers begin preparing the funeral attire grandfathers who are in good health and bright minds. This can be explained as follows:
- A tribute to religion. Some religions do not consider death to be a bad thing and scary. Therefore, preliminary preparation for it is not considered a sin; on the contrary, having a collected “bundle” is only beneficial.
- Remnants of the past.People who have lived through times of total shortage of goods and things have brought to this day the fear in their souls that there will not be something suitable in the stores and necessary. That is why grandparents carefully prepare for their “last journey,” worrying that on the day of their death, relatives will not be able to find suitable shoes or dresses.
- Worry about loved ones. Some, especially attentive and caring parents, do not want to worry or cause any inconvenience to their relatives, even on the day of their own death. Such people often have in store not only things, shoes and other things necessary for performing the funeral ritual attributes, but and bought a place in the cemetery.
- The desire to look a certain way. This applies in most cases to people who, due to illness, are forced to leave the world much earlier than expected. Women and men may want to look the way they have already imagined (and not always strictly or sadly), so they buy a pre-thought-out outfit.
- Savings. Particularly thrifty and thrifty people can select items for their own funeral from their wardrobe so that relatives do not spend money on buying new clothes after their death. Often in this case, next to things you can find money set aside for the same purposes.
Interesting! According to statistics, women prepare things for their own funeral much more often than men.
How does it affect you and your loved ones psychologically?
In most cases, the presence of a funeral “knot” in a common closet is annoying and annoying to others. If children, grandchildren or other relatives live in the same house as an elderly person, the presence of such supplies can worry and sadden them.If a person lives alone, or relations with roommates leave much to be desired, That sheets, towels, clothes and shoes collected in one place will not disturb or upset anyone.
Psychologists say that in most cases, the presence of “coffin” things and money among old people has a positive effect on their psychological state, since they know that they are fully prepared for a “rainy” day. Caring grandmothers understand that their grandchildren and children will spend much less on the day of the funeral than they would have to without the money and things they had saved.
Even photos taken specifically for the monument will not frighten or irritate relatives if you do not put much emphasis on them. To maintain emotional peace of loved ones, it is enough to mention once the place where they are. If you make the topic of your own death the most frequent topic of conversation, and sorting through “funeral” things a daily activity, the nerves of those around you may sooner or later give way, which will ultimately lead to conflicts and disagreements.
Superstitions, is it possible to prepare
Previously, things for burial were sewn by hand. It was believed that the white shroud, sewn from simple material, personifies infantile purity and innocence. Today, almost any clothing is used for these purposes. Only girls and girls who did not manage to get married are buried in white dresses.
There are no other superstitions associated with the preparation of “funeral” things. The only prohibition applies to “trying on” the coffin. It is believed that by doing so a person brings the moment of his death closer.
Preparing “funeral” clothes is allowed if the person’s emotional, psychological and even physical state does not deteriorate due to this. Otherwise, it is better to refuse fees. If the “bundle” is already stored, it can be disassembled or given for storage to friends or relatives living in a separate area.
If you cook how and when it is appropriate
In modern society, it is not customary to think about death, much less prepare for it. However, if an elderly person, or someone who knows for sure about his imminent death, puts white slippers and clothes in the closet, this should be treated with understanding. Perhaps, by doing so, he wants to protect his family and friends from unnecessary stress and costs.
Sometimes the situation can be completely different and the grandmother or grandfather, having gathered for the next world, begins to get rid of personal belongings. Photos are burned, clothes are thrown away or torn to pieces. Relatives should convince the old man who wants to get rid of trash that it is not necessary to do this and his things are of great value to his relatives. As a last resort, you can go through the books or photos that belong to her with your grandmother and leave something as a keepsake.
In conclusion, I would like to note that if the presence of funeral items helps a sick or elderly person sleep better at night, then there is nothing wrong with them. The only thing you need to do is put them away in the closet so that you don’t bump into them every time the doors open.
It is also worth noting that there is no need to purchase expensive and branded items for a funeral. According to superstitions and traditions, things do not have to be new. Even if nothing suitable can be found, ritual firms will be able to help resolve the issue.
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Mom packed a bag of things for her funeral. In reality, the funeral director said that we need to buy it. And, the main thing is that in the morgue they do not dress the deceased, but simply put clothes on top. Well, just put a scarf on your head.
Svetlana, hello. I don’t know how long I have left, but I really want to have the Slavic rite of KRODU performed on me. this is when the body is burned in a fire. I don’t think they will bother building a raft or a boat, launching it along the river and shooting flaming arrows at it. It is very beautiful and solemn. The funeral pyre made of logs on which I lay in a scarlet dress and a wreath on my head will also work. I really want to be in the hot palms of fire, which will take me far from the earth and free me from binding.
My uncle, about 15 years before his death, prepared coffins and monuments for himself and his wife and kept them in the attic of his house (a wooden house in a small town); only the dates of death were not on the slabs. He lived well with a bright mind and efficiency until he was 85 years old, he passed away sitting at the table after dinner, without pain or pain, he simply lowered his head in his hands.And all the preparations, including a place in the cemetery, money, even a supply of alcohol, were made so that the daughter would have less trouble. 2 years before her death, she put a new fence around the house, replaced the old windows with double-glazed windows to give her the opportunity to sell the house at a higher price, and left it to her grandchildren. green money. In recent years, I have converted all the money I saved or earned into dollars, and lived very modestly. I grew potatoes, picked mushrooms and berries, and worked part-time wherever possible. What can you say about such a person? The past generation of our elders tried to do everything for us during life and after death. May their memory be blessed.
In 1985, I lived in an apartment in Moscow for a month while attending courses. The owner, a 73-year-old grandmother, once introduced me to the contents of the bundle. Her niece made her a new dress with a clasp at the back, like a reverse robe. Everything I needed was there, but I only remembered the dress. Then I experienced mystical horror, I encountered the first gas.
I'm almost 80 years old. It’s been more than five years since I collected a bundle of funeral clothes and prepared money for the funeral and wake. Let this bring relief to my family when they see me off to the cemetery. I keep my bundle in a secluded corner, I only showed it to my younger sister who will bury me. So my clothes don’t bother anyone and don’t irritate anyone.
I remember my grandmother, who also collected a funeral bundle for herself (this was the post-war years) several years before her death and lived for more than 15 years.
Both cases described took place in Moscow.
If you are alone, try to ensure that there are no unnecessary conversations after your death.