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Conference tallis::celt

Title:Celt Notefile
Moderator:TALLIS::DARCY
Created:Wed Feb 19 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1632
Total number of notes:20523

567.0. "FUNERAL CUSTOM EXPLANATION" by RIGAZI::SPERANDIO () Thu May 11 1989 20:41

Can any Celt help with some information on funeral customs? 

 This past weekend an elderly woman in my family passed away.  
 I was told by those who were in town for the funeral that as they drove up to
 the burial site in the rain they were presented with the sight of a lone man 
 standing in the cold, pouring rain playing the bagpipes.  He played until the
 burial was complete, but when they looked up afterwards,he was no where to be
 seen.
  

 Can anyone tell me the tradition that goes with this?  I was told that the
 surname was Scottish (Fraser). 

 - McElhiney
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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567.1The Piper's LamentVAXUUM::WALTERSThu May 11 1989 21:0412
    The custom is to play a "lament" at a funeral during the interment.
    Also after a hard battle to honour the dead.
    
    I don't know when it dates from, but it's mentioned in several
    contemporary books commenting on Glencoe and Cullodden.
    
    Very haunting music.
    
    Colin.
    (Who has Clan Huntley blood, and is not as Welsh as he thought he was.)
    
    
567.2Inequality even in deathCOMICS::HWILLIAMSFri May 12 1989 12:475
    I don't know about the piped music, but my colleague here says
    that on the Western Isles of Scotland (where she's from) Only the
    Men attend funerals.
    
    Huw.
567.3But seriously....MARCIE::KSULLIVANFri May 12 1989 14:5911
    That's because we're big and strong and brave......we should have
    never given them the vote......downhill ever since......
    
    Q. Are they permitted to attend when they're dead??? Or what do
    you do with them.......bung 'em in the bin........ 
    Does the undertaker get sent alone with the casket, for surely MEN 
    don't attend womens' funerals, (down at the pub celebrating), a
    bit of a conundrum eh?  Inquiring minds require this vital information.
    
                      Murphy the sexist pig.
                                                      
567.4Him laying there, and all this work to do.USWAV1::CHAPLAINSat May 13 1989 10:417
    
    ...poor old Paddy. Looks better three days dead than he ever did
    alive. And how he can lay there listenin' to all the keenin' and
    wailin' without breaking out into gales of laughter is beyond me.
    
    ...sorry for yer troubles.
    
567.5rites of passageVAXUUM::WALTERSSat May 13 1989 15:1815
    Good lord,
    
    With a reply like that, Murphy will be attending his own funeral
    whe the women of Ireland catch him.
    
    Not ten years ago in Wales when I attended my Grandmothers funeral,
    gor' bless her, it was only the men that went to the burying.  Not
    a ladylike thing to do, according to Welsh custom.
    
    This is macabre.  New topic anyone?
    
    Colin
    
    
    
567.6Rites & CustomsRIGAZI::SPERANDIOWed May 17 1989 19:045
Yes, it does seem a bit chilly in here.
Thanks for the replies, folks. 

Now, just tell me what's under that kilt when it's cold and raining... 
- McElhiney
567.7And a Blue Ribbon for First Prize ....STEREO::BURNSCeltic ThunderWed May 17 1989 19:1211
    
    
    	The anwer is "Blowin' in the wind" ....  8=)

                                          
    
    
    
    
    	keVin