General Chat

I have only just noticed recently that a coffin is carried into a church feet first - why is this?

Know of the expression go out feet first.

Yes.... and my mother went DAFT when she saw me placing my new babies
carrycot.. feet first at the door!!

She was fine.......... she will be 50 this June.

Deanna X

Well, I never knew that!! must ask my colleagues tomorrow if they did.

I had heard years ago so that person cant look back. Annie.

You would have to ask whoever puts it in the hearse......because they just slide it out and place it on the pall bearers shoulders the way it comes out of the hearse.....

.....must say I had never thought of that one....

The reason for this is because,,,usually,,,,,, you make your entrance into the world head first and your carried out the same way,,your last journey,,,,,

Would just like to know why and if there is a link to the expression - expect there is.

Coffin is usually carried feet first and folk-lore has it that the deceased cannot 'look back' and his spirit 'goes on and does not roam free' !

Burials at sea also have the coffin going feet first.

Never had an occasion to think about it, as I never notice. Don't we discuss some weird subjects on the boards pmsl

xx

my dad always said

he didnt want to leave our home feet first

so i made them turn him round

Priests are the exception,they are carried head first to signify their Holy position.

This practice predates Christianity. It has its roots in the pagan tradition of sun worship, the sun being seen as the giver of life, (which even today on our planet is a fact).
The sites of our Christian churches were in pagan times places of worship and had altars facing the sun. When we converted to Christianity the altar was invariably placed in the East part of the building so that the congregation faced the sun.
The same applies with every ceremony in the church, including the funeral service, we always face the altar and therefore East and the practice of feet first for a coffin ensures that the corpse is also facing the altar and therefore the sun.

Bernard - that explanation makes sense to me.

Carrying on from Mau's comment, the clergy are also buried facing the opposite way. A priest friend told me that this is so they can face their congregation (but he may well have been joking with the reason!).

Mandy :)

how strange never noticed

Bernard is quite correct and so is Mandy's friend!


We lowley mortals are meant to be facing our God, and his servants are facing the congregation!

Jac

I have just come in from a funeral . and blimey the coffin came in feet first, but was it because it was placed onto the stand for the crematation.??and don't like to say it went feet first...
It was a beautiful service , first time I have seen a wicker coffin.

Pat

I had a friend whohad a wicker coffin - it was lovely but thery are very expensive.

There is a saying that it is bad luck to have your bed facing the door of the bedroom for similar reasons, i.e. your feet mustn't be pointing towards the door.
Lizx

I have friend who is a mortitian, funeral director. I'll be contacting him on Friday so will ask his opinion then.

Liz - my feet face the door when I'm lying in bed. No wonder I haven't won the lottery!

Deb

I havent either, Deb. A bit of bed moving soon to see if it makes a difference for Sat night's lotto draw.
(No not really, I am not superstitious.)
Huia.