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V. Modern Funeral CustomsWe would like to think that in these modern times, our state of enlightenment would have totally dispensed with such thinking, but such is not the case.Even today, death is approached from a standpoint of fear.Many of our funeral customs have their historical basis in pagan rituals.Modern mourning clothing came from the custom of wearing special clothing as a disguise to hide identity from returning spirits. Pagans believed that returning spirits would fail to recognize them in their new attire and would be confused and overlook them.Covering the face of the deceased with a sheet stems from pagan tribes who believed that the spirit of the deceased escaped through the mouth. They would often hold the mouth and nose of a sick person shut, hoping to retain the spirits and delay death.Feasting and gatherings associated with the funeral began as an essential part of the primitive funeral where food offerings were made.Wakes held today come from ancient customs of keeping watch over the deceased hoping that life would return.The lighting of candles comes from the use of fire mentioned earlier in attempts to protect the living from the spirits.The practice of ringing bells comes from the common medieval belief that the spirits would be kept at bay by the ringing of a consecrated bell.The firing of a rifle volley over the deceased mirrors the tribal practice of throwing spears into the air to ward off spirits hovering over the deceased.Originally, holy water was sprinkled on the body to protect it from the demons.Floral offerings were originally intended to gain favor with the spirit of the deceased.Funeral music had its origins in the ancient chants designed to placate the spirits
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