General in the United States.
1249. Only male relatives take part in the funeral procession.
Philadelphia, Pa.
1250. In regard to the ceremonies at the grave, usage differs widely. In New England it is usual for near relatives to attend; and, in the case of important persons, for a procession to march to the cemetery. Among Catholics a great number of friends attend the hearse of persons in humble life.
1251. It is an old Connecticut custom that the yard gate should never be shut after being opened to let through a body being carried from its former home to the graveyard.
1252. The funeral procession must not cross a river.
Baldwinsville, N. Y.
1253. “I was first led to notice the superstition about crossing a river, from having to attend funerals on the south side, when they would otherwise have been held on the north side. This is losing ground, owing to the frequency of crossing to reach the cemetery, but I had an instance only last spring.”
Baldwinsville, N. Y.
1254. The corpse must not pass twice over any part of the same road.