Death Superstitions

Superstition is derived from the Latin superstes, meaning “to stand over.” Thus, the concept refers to the practice, based on belief, of standing over rationality of thought. In general, death superstitions have a negative connotation because these are based on unproven scientific validity. But the validation of beliefs surrounding death cannot be determined because the deceased are unable to participate in follow-up studies, thereby leaving the area of death and dying as a natural breeding ground for superstitions to evolve.

Such death superstitions vary across cultures, though there are some shared commonalities. Understanding the diversity of death superstitions increases one's sensitivity to the sources of the fear of death within diverse cultures. Many, if not most, death superstitions can be categorized within the timeline of the dying process.

Superstitions and Signs of Death

Most death superstitions refer to the signs of death as represented by the actions of animals and insects, human actions, and dreams. Blackbirds and crows, for example, characterize these death omens inasmuch as their presence represents a sign of death. Some superstitions prescribe the rare behavior of birds that include flight into a house, tapping on a window, or crying abnormally during the night. Even the number of times such cries or tapping on the window (usually three) is prescribed. Dog howling for no reason is yet another death omen.

Insects serve as a medium of the death omen. In Britain and Ireland, there exist beliefs that special sounds made by beetles and crickets represent signs of approaching death. It is believed that these insects and animals possess the ability to identify clues surrounding death that lie beyond human reach, possibly because the smell, body temperature, or wavelength of the dying person attracts the animals' attention. Less often reported death omen phenomena include the dropping of pictures from walls, unexplained cracking of glassware, breaking of a mirror, or a clock stopping at a certain time.

Death superstitions also refer to action. If someone points a finger at a funeral attendee, it is thought this gesture will bring death to that person. To maintain one's breathing while passing a cemetery is believed to be absorbing of the spirit that causes death. Experiencing dreams of one's death also is taken as a sign of impending death, as is meeting a deceased loved one in a dream.

Superstitions and Dying

Superstition rules related to responding to the dying also exist. Doors and windows should be open wide and unlocked when someone in the house is dying. Mirrors are to be turned inward to avoid reflections, and all knots should be untied. There is a belief that if the eyes of the deceased person are open, another death will soon follow. In Chinese culture, open eyes symbolize the unfinished business of the deceased. Thus, the bereaved try to fulfill the wishes of the deceased, thereby hoping to avoid future misfortune.

Chinese culture emphasizes the importance of family members witnessing the death of loved ones, especially the eldest son. If this action is not fulfilled, it is considered that the deceased did not engage in good deeds while on earth. The crying of family members during the moment of death is thought to disturb the transition of the spirit of the deceased. From the Buddhist point of view, it is urged that peaceful chanting occur.

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