What does it mean if the wreaths on a grave are burnt? Signs at the cemetery - what not to do on the territory of the deceased

You found something similar to a magical lining on the grave of a deceased relative: coins, candles, packages, bags, a bottle, a scarf on a fence, or something else. What does this mean and how should you react?

A grave lining is a fairly common thing. They constantly write me alarming letters about certain finds discovered on the graves of deceased relatives. Here is a standard example: “Hello, Vladimir Petrovich! We were at the cemetery, and on a birch tree next to the grave of our father-in-law we found a white cotton scarf tied in a knot (grandmothers like to wear these). Please tell me, is this a cause for concern?”

There is no reason for the letter writer to worry. If the appearance of this scarf on the grave was of witchcraft origin (and, for sure, it is), a grave was simply selected that was suitable for a number of characteristics (gender, name, age of the deceased, etc.). For example, in some magical ritual it could be said that after certain manipulations, a knotted scarf should be left on the grave of a man with a name that coincides with the name of the object of witchcraft. Your father-in-law's grave met these criteria, that's all.

The vast majority of strange finds on graves have precisely this origin. With the help of cemetery magic, they cast and remove damage, make love spells and lapels, provoke or treat illnesses, solve the problem of alcoholism, etc. But, in any case, such things usually have nothing to do with the relatives of the deceased on whose grave a magical lining was discovered. A grave was simply chosen that was suitable for certain conditions of the ritual. For example, sometimes you need to do something on a grave located on the edge; on the grave where a man of such and such age is buried; at the grave where a woman with such and such a name is buried, etc. and so on. In order for my readers to better understand the essence of such phenomena, I will give specific examples.

One of the methods of causing damage to epilepsy is as follows: the attacker takes a certain number of chicken eggs to the grave where a person is buried who had the same name as the victim of the damage. A special spell is pronounced, then the eggs remain on the grave for a certain time. In compliance with special rules, the eggs are taken from the grave and later given as food to the person destined for spoilage. Soon the unfortunate man suffers his first epileptic seizure. When the disease enters the chronic phase, the attacks intensify precisely on the day of the month when the described cemetery manipulations were carried out. In this case, the attacker, of course, is not at all interested in the relatives of the person buried in that very grave.

One of the love spell rituals is performed in a somewhat similar way. The photograph of a beloved person belongs to a grave where a person of a similar age who had the same name is buried. A series of manipulations are performed, special spells are pronounced, and the victim of the love spell begins to experience mortal melancholy without the object of his passion. If the relatives of the deceased “at the wrong time” visit his grave, they, of course, will find an unrelated photograph, remove it from the grave and, thus, this time thwarting the attacker’s plan, but they themselves will not suffer.

It should be noted that rituals of various types are performed in cemeteries, black magic knowledgeable people are not limited. Graves can be used in the treatment of various diseases (including epilepsy), to rid a person of alcohol addiction, to relieve love languor, etc. If, after visiting the grave of a relative, you suddenly find a bottle of vodka on it, this may mean that someone is being spoiled for alcoholism, or, conversely, they are trying to save someone from drunkenness.

Thus, if you find some foreign objects (coins, chicken eggs, photographs, etc.), you should not panic. Most likely, this witchcraft has nothing to do with you. Why do I write: “most likely”? The fact is that sometimes some witchcraft linings on graves are still addressed specifically to the relatives of the deceased. Such deposits are usually discovered not at any arbitrary time, but the day before memorial day, celebrated a week after Easter (the so-called “Red Hill”). Or on some anniversary of death. That is, exactly when it is reasonable to expect relatives to visit the cemetery for cleaning or memorial services. For example, you can find chicken eggs, coins or anything else that quantitatively matches the number of members of your family.

What should be done with such finds? Without touching the thing with your bare hands (use gloves, a bag, paper), you just need to remove it from the grave. But remember that Direct contact with these things is highly undesirable, so do not pick them up or step on them!

If, nevertheless, you have the feeling that you “caught something”, or you reasonably assume that the lining was addressed specifically to you and your family members, click on the button below and write me a letter.

They say death never comes to a person unexpectedly. She always gives signs that the last hour is near. This is an opportunity to have time to prepare for the inevitable, if it is destined to happen. Over a thousand-year history, humanity has accumulated colossal experience, including in everything related to death. And if we can only guess about what is there on the other side, then we are quite capable of recognizing the signs of fate that signal impending trouble. We will try to briefly talk about the most famous signs which have come true more than once, according to eyewitness accounts.

What phenomena can happen before death?

Keep in mind that a single sign in itself does not mean anything. Several repeating signs, both obvious and those that came in a dream, should be considered.

The first, most obvious sign is when the home begins to smell like a dead person, although no one has died yet. Several people should smell the smell. Otherwise, it is a hallucination due to nervousness (for example, when one of the relatives is sick for a long time).

There is no firm opinion regarding this. Some people think that this is a dream imminent illnesses, and if a tooth falls out with blood, it means the imminent death of a close relative. Some argue that such dreams arise from nervousness out of fear for the health of their own teeth. Freud's dream book on this matter states that a tooth falling out in a dream signals fear of castration as a sign of retribution for obvious or imaginary sexual sins.

There is a belief that a bluish glow can be observed around a person who is soon to pass into another world. But not when looking at it directly, but with peripheral vision. The same goes for shadows and black spots. If you notice something like this with your peripheral vision, death is somewhere nearby.

The doctor who came to the patient stumbled - probably medicine will no longer help in this case. Having asked the patient how he is feeling and receiving the answer “Terrible”, be sure of a speedy recovery. If a person answers that everything is fine, he is most likely no longer a tenant. Bad omen- if the priest, who came to administer unction to the sick, cannot find the right place in the missal for a long time or, after leaving the house, returns for a forgotten item.

Once the patient who receives communion falls asleep, he will recover; if he cannot sleep, he will soon die. If he turns toward the wall and also lies on his left side for a long time, he doesn’t have long to live. A sign of imminent death is a change in the body odor of the sick person - they say, “smells like earth.” This is also indicated by a change in color pectoral cross, if it is immersed in water from which a person drank.

In order to find out whether the patient will recover or go to his ancestors, they used to resort to some fortune telling:

1. Place fresh celandine on your head. If a person sings, he will live. I cried - no more.
2. When fresh nettle, infused for 24 hours in a patient’s urine, turns black, the disease is incurable. If the plant remains green, such a person will certainly recover.
3. Rub a piece of pork meat on the patient's feet and give it to the dog. The animal eats the treat - the person will recover.
4. Light a candle next to the patient. When the flame burns evenly, there will be healing from the disease. If it sways, it’s dead.

A bad omen is black birds: rooks, crows or owls. If they appeared in locality, have chosen a certain house - expect trouble.

A sure sign when a dog howls in the yard with its muzzle lowered to the ground - it is mourning its owner. If a cat constantly spins around the patient and lies on its back under the table, such a disease is incurable. A bad sign is if a cat lies across the floorboards.

A sign of the imminent death of household members is when a flower blooms that has never bloomed before. The exception is cacti, some species of which bloom once every few years. A bad sign It is considered if a tree planted by someone dries out or is broken by the wind. This means that the person himself does not have long to live.

A person who sees fire in the forest or in a cemetery must prepare to depart to another world. These are the souls of ancestors giving a sign to get ready for the journey. The same goes for a person whose clothes have been chewed by mice. A sign that soon he will change his clothes for the last time new clothes. In general, the appearance of these rodents in a city apartment is a bad sign, just like a mouse running over a lying person.

When it flew into the house - it meant the sudden death of one of the relatives. A bird that has entered through a window should be fed and released through another window. The exception is pigeons - feed them or don’t feed them, trouble is inevitable. A cuckoo, even if it just sits on the roof of a house, signals an imminent or dead person.

So, it did happen. A man has died, and inconsolable relatives are crying around him. Neighbors and relatives, as a rule, take charge of organizing the funeral - grief-stricken relatives are of little use now.

There are many signs you can see at funerals. But you may not see it - then everything will definitely be fine.

There is a belief that if a dead person has one eye slightly open, he is looking for a fellow traveler from among those around him. After the funeral, the bed of the deceased should be washed, otherwise death will not rest.

Based on what the weather is like on the day of the funeral, you can determine what kind of person the deceased was during his lifetime. A clear day - the deceased was definitely a good person, rainy weather - a so-so person.

Relatives are not supposed to carry the coffin, so as not to leave behind. For those who were not related by blood to the dead, nothing will happen. Men who carry the coffin should wear an embroidered one on their arm. It is generally accepted that this is how he thanks everyone for the last honor.

Everyone in the room in which someone died is covered with dark thick fabric for 40 days. It’s not even a sign, but a necessary condition. The mirror is a bridge between the material and astral planes of existence. The soul that has left the body walks among the living for 40 days, only then moves on. If the deceased sees a mirror, he can become its prisoner, and only a knowledgeable person can free the restless soul.

It is forbidden to leave things that had direct contact with the funeral after the funeral. dead body. Thus, the measure taken to make the coffin, as well as the ropes that tied the limbs of the deceased, are placed in the grave. There are many powerful rituals in magic when they are used. If a witch is present at a funeral ceremony, she will certainly want to take possession of this powerful artifact.

The water with which the deceased was washed must be poured onto the ground in a place where no one walks, so as not to accidentally step there, at least until the first rain.

Pregnant women and children under 7 years of age are strictly prohibited from attending the funeral. You can’t cry too much - the deceased, seeing how they miss him, will not want to leave and will become a ghost.

At a funeral, nothing bad should be said about the deceased.

When leaving the cemetery, you need to stand with your back to the cemetery and wipe your feet.

After the coffin is taken out of the house, the person leaving is the last to sweep and. This is done in a special way, from the door to the farthest corner of the room. The old broom and rag are thrown away, otherwise the coffin will soon be taken out again.

The comb used to comb the deceased's hair is either thrown into the river or placed in a coffin. He is considered unclean - he cannot be washed or reprimanded. You can’t throw it into a lake or pond - you definitely need running water.

There is a tradition of throwing a handful of earth on the lid of the coffin. Otherwise, the deceased will find a hole in the grave and begin to scare the living at night. If a funeral procession passes by a house in which someone is sleeping, he should certainly be awakened. It is believed that the soul of the deceased can take the sleeping person with it.

You should not cross the road in front of a funeral procession. If a person dies of an illness, take it upon yourself. Under no circumstances should you overtake the funeral procession - you will appear before God before the deceased.

The wake is an integral part of the funeral ceremony. Memories of the deceased, what kind of person he was, a glass of “For the Repose”, a joint prayer for the repose of the soul - everyone has encountered this at least once.

There is a sign: when returning from a funeral, the first thing you should do is touch the stove - then no one in the house will die for a long time. Old people say that when you come into contact with the element of Fire, of which the stove is the personification, you will burn all bad omens at the root. If there is no stove in the house, you should light a candle, but certainly bring it from the temple.

There should be a glass of water in the house for 40 days after death. It is believed that the deceased drinks from it. Therefore, the vessel should be placed where someone else will not accidentally drink the water - this is not good.

Signs that a person is about to die

Many signs about the impending death of one of the relatives or friends appear to a person in a dream. Please note that this sign should be given significance if two or more people had a similar dream in a short period of time.

As mentioned above, there is no clear opinion about lost teeth. But a dream about cleaning the house, namely sweeping the floor, is a clear signal that someone will die soon. In the popular consciousness, rubbish is associated with the souls of ancestors, no matter how strange it sounds. Therefore, you should not sweep garbage outside the threshold, Bad sign- you will sweep out one of your relatives.

A sign of an imminent funeral in the house - when you dream of earth or fresh boards. There is no point in arguing here: the earth is for the grave, the boards are for the coffin. It is also believed that a deceased person in a house will dream of seeing a log falling out of the wall, digging earth, chicken eggs, or a heel or sole falling off.

If a bride in white clothes kisses you in a dream, it means death has kissed you. But the death itself, which appears in night dreams, whether it is yours or someone close to you, does not carry a negative connotation and is rather symbolic: one of the stages of your life has been passed and the next one begins.

On the contrary, one’s own death in a dream is a harbinger of a long, eventful life. The people you are talking to should also not cause concern. This is a sign of future changes in your life, and not necessarily for the worse. The exception is when the deceased calls with him. You should be extremely careful over the next few days - a fatal accident is possible.

Over the 23 years of my work at the cemetery, I have often thought about why people sometimes make ridiculous mistakes when coming to the graves of their relatives and friends. While still a worker, I tried to explain to them the essence of these mistakes. This is not about church canons, signs, mysticism. It is better to talk about this with the clergy. I was more concerned about issues related to what I had to do every day. Namely: work on improvement of burial sites and digging of graves.

Subsequently, when I became the head of the cemetery, people began to be more trusting of my advice. But, unfortunately, this often happened after certain actions had been taken, leading to not very good consequences, including losses large sums money. Let's talk about the most common mistakes.

Trees near graves: friends or enemies

Do not plant trees near graves. Firstly, the tree and its roots occupy the volume of the plot allocated to you, and therefore will interfere with subsequent burials. Secondly, if a tree or its large branches fall due to wind, disease, or damage to the root system when digging a grave, they can damage the tombstone and fence standing on the grave of your relatives and neighbors. Thirdly, the roots act on already established monuments, raising their foundations. Fourth, most flowers planted at burial sites require sunlight, which dense foliage prevents.

Therefore, if a tree is already growing next to the grave, then it is advisable to get rid of it quickly. You should not try to do this chemically or by removing part of the bark. This can lead to an uncontrolled fall of the tree, with all the ensuing consequences. Considering the difficulties, it is better in such cases to resort to the services of climbers. But you can remove the stump yourself, using special chemicals or salt.

Polyethylene: a method of protection or destruction

Do not wrap monuments in plastic for the winter. The argument that you are protecting the monument from water penetration into microcracks does not take into account the fact that condensation forms under the film. Droplets of moisture that arise in sufficiently severe frosts will produce the very effect from which you were trying to protect yourself. If vases made of granite or marble are installed at the burial site, then be sure to drain the water for the winter, for which there is usually a special hole. Then cover the tops to prevent further moisture ingress. Plastic vases, which are removable, just need to be removed.

Candles and lamps on graves

Do not leave burning candles or lamps on graves after you leave. Even a small gust of wind or a fallen branch can cause artificial flowers or wreaths to catch fire. It happens that it is impossible to read the inscription on a granite monument due to soot, and monuments made of granite polymer under the influence of fire can be melted and completely destroyed. Sometimes neighboring burials also suffer.

A kiss for centuries

This advice is mainly for ladies. Dear women, do not kiss graphic portraits on monuments. The fat contained in any lipstick instantly penetrates the surface layer of the stone, leaving stains. In most cases, they can be removed with a colorless solvent, but unfortunately not always.

Excess sand is no good

Every year before Easter holidays, sand is delivered to cemeteries, which visitors can use free of charge. Do not try to cover the surface of the area adjacent to the grave with a very thick layer. Even taking into account that some of the sand will subsequently be washed away by rain, annual backfilling leads to the fact that the base of the tombstones and flower beds will inevitably be sunk into the ground.

Life and death are two inseparable components of earthly existence human soul. Different peoples have developed certain burial rules that are carefully passed down from generation to generation. According to Christian customs, the deceased are buried; on the day of burial, a wooden eight-pointed cross is placed on the grave, and flowers are laid. When are wreaths removed from a grave after a funeral and is it necessary to do so? Let's try to answer these questions based on church canons and folk traditions.

The cross as a symbol of the incorruptibility of the soul

According to Christian customs, the cross should be placed at the feet of the deceased so that the face of the deceased is turned towards the crucifix. This rule is often neglected, placing a cross in our heads. Another church canon is often violated - screwing a photograph of a deceased relative to a cross. There is no need to do this, just hang up a sign with the name and dates of birth/death.

For the Orthodox, the cross is traditional form gravestones, the top of the head pointing upward points to heaven - the place of residence of the soul freed from the mortal body. According to established traditions, flowers are laid on the grave and funeral wreaths are placed as a tribute to memory and respect for the deceased.

Which flowers are better, fresh or artificial?

Maintaining order in a cemetery is not so much a spiritual aspect as a social one. Agree that the deceased does not care at all what his grave looks like. The living need this - so that they have somewhere to come in moments of sorrow or joy, to ask for advice or receive a blessing. The question of when wreaths are removed from a grave after a funeral according to church canons should not have existed in principle. In any case, until the middle of the last century such a problem did not arise.

The thing is that, according to Christian customs, graves were decorated with fresh flowers, the lifespan of which is short. So they were removed within the first few days. It is possible and necessary to clean the burial site of unnecessary parts and bring it into proper shape at any time. This is what most clergy think. Moreover, according to the canons of the church, artificial flowers, which have replaced real ones today, are a symbol of lies and hypocrisy.

Link to the fortieth memorial day

IN Soviet time, when they were not particularly observed, a tradition arose of laying flowers made from light fabric or paper. Today, funeral wreaths are made of plastic, which significantly extends their service life. These funeral attributes can be located in the open air without damaging their appearance several months and even years.

People who are deeply religious, when asked when they remove wreaths from a grave after a funeral according to church canons, usually answer: by the fortieth day after burial. In fact, strict church rules this has not been established.

The validity of this statement can be explained by the established custom in Orthodoxy, after 40 days after the funeral, to invite a priest to the grave of the deceased to perform a funeral service. It is highly desirable that the place be beautifully and cleanly tidied up before the priest arrives. But let us repeat: there are no prohibitions on restoring order in burial places before this date.

How to care for a grave

Caring for graves, according to the clergy, should be carried out regularly, as needed. Removing wilted flowers, replacing wreaths that have become unusable, correcting crumbled soil - this can be done at any time. In this way, the living pay tribute to the dead, show others and, first of all, themselves that the memory and love for the departed do not fade in their hearts.

When wreaths are removed from a grave after a funeral, if the soil settles, it is corrected with a shovel, giving the mound the correct shape. The surface can be covered with green turf and perennial flowers can be planted around. Chrysanthemums, zinnias, marigolds, daffodils, and lilies of the valley take root well and do not require constant care. In this case, there is no need to use artificial attributes.

What to do with wreaths that have become unusable

Each cemetery has specially designated areas for storing such items, which are ultimately household waste that must be disposed of. Many countries are gradually abandoning the use of artificial wreaths, since recycling plastic requires additional costs and is harmful to the environment.

Imagine a huge city cemetery where hundreds of burials take place every day. Naturally, when wreaths are removed from a grave after a funeral, whole piles of unnecessary funeral paraphernalia are formed, which are then taken to a landfill. IN rural areas Wreaths that have served their purpose are simply burned somewhere nearby. The acrid smell of plastic released in this process not only pollutes environment, but also violates the blissful atmosphere inside the village churchyard.

On what days should you not clean the cemetery?

According to church regulations, it is forbidden to clean, paint fences, plant flowers and trees on graves at all times. Sundays, and even more so in Orthodox holidays. Such actions are considered a sin and a sign of disrespect for the church.

In addition, there are certain periods when you should not go to the cemetery at all. These include:

• Holidays (from 7 to 20 January).
• Maundy Thursday Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
• Easter and the following Bright Week.
• Days of the twelve holidays.
• Any Sundays.

Visiting the deceased usually begins with Radonitsa ( parent's day), falling on Tuesday sixteen days after Easter.

Is a monument needed?

The Orthodox Church condemns any excesses in the arrangement of burial sites. But since many of us do not consider ourselves deeply religious, over the past few decades the custom has developed of installing monuments on graves. As a rule, such monuments are made of marble or granite, cast from various types metal You can often hear in response to the question of when to erect a monument after a funeral, the statement: no earlier than twelve months. Why is that?

Some explain this by the need to maintain a period of 1 year, after which any manipulations on the grave of the deceased will not be able to disturb him. According to popular beliefs, after 12 months the soul of the deceased finally leaves our world. It is quite possible that there is some rational grain in such reasoning. Look beyond the boundaries eternal darkness no one has succeeded yet.

Interestingly, workshops that make heavy tombstones will tell you the same thing. Only the basis will be more mundane, without reference to afterlife mythology. So, when to erect a monument after a funeral? Only when the soil on the grave is completely compacted will it give final shrinkage. This process in most cases requires at least one year. Otherwise, the metal or stone structure may become uneven, warp, fall, or become deformed due to the movement of soil layers.

The cross is not a hindrance to the monument

Now we know where and when wreaths are removed from the grave after the funeral. But according to Orthodox customs, crosses installed during burial should be handled with care. Even if you decide to perpetuate the memory of a deceased relative in marble or bronze, the cross must be left in place. In this case, the monument is installed either next to the cross or on the opposite side from it.

In some cases, the cross can be placed next to the grave or, in agreement with the clergyman, burned in a church oven. It seems that in any case, external manifestations of respect for the deceased are not so important. The main thing is spiritual kinship and memory living in our heart.

Signs, superstitions and instructions of the Church about crosses on the grave.

The symbol of Christ's crucifixion - the cross - has been shrouded in a mysterious shroud of riddles, secrets and superstitions since ancient times. Many of these signs have found religious form since Christianity spread throughout the world, choosing the cross as its symbol.

According to religious dogmas, death is an important, turning point event in the life of every person. Moreover, monks and elders call life a preparation for death, since it is with the end of “earthly affairs” that the soul meets the Lord. Therefore, it is not surprising that so many different religious instructions and instructions are associated with the burial rite. A very important one is the installation of a cross on the grave of a deceased Christian.

The cross is a shrine that is revered and arouses reverence among all Christians. And in this regard, when installing it on the grave, some problems may arise. practical questions caused by fear of offending sacred symbol, thereby incurring divine wrath.

How to install a cross on a grave?

Based on the traditions of Orthodox Christianity, the grave is positioned in such a way that the head of the deceased is directed to the west and the legs to the east. According to biblical accounts, this is how Jesus was buried.

A tombstone cross is placed at the feet of the deceased, so that at the moment when the soul leaves its final refuge, it can see in front of it the holy symbol of forgiveness and offer prayers before it. Catholic traditions order to put a cross above your head. It is believed that when leaving the earth, the soul kisses the crucifix, expressing its submission and devotion to Christian teaching.

What to do with the old cross?

On the day of the funeral, an ordinary wooden cross is placed on the grave. This is done not only for religious reasons, but also for practical ones: the wooden structure is quite light in weight (compared, for example, with stone tombstones), and therefore its installation will not interfere with the natural subsidence and compaction of the soil at the burial site.

But when the time comes to install a new, permanent headstone, the cross is dismantled and the question arises of what to do with it. It is really impossible to throw away a shrine in the trash, as this is a sign of disrespect. It is recommended to burn a wooden cross as unnecessary. If such a need arises, you should ask the cemetery administration where this can be done. As a rule, each graveyard has places for such needs.

If the cross is well preserved, it can be given to a workshop or even sold. According to clergy, there is nothing forbidden or shameful in installing an old crucifix. In addition, an old tombstone can become the personification of the deceased’s non-covetousness, his meekness and lack of desire for material, earthly goods.

What to do if the cross is askew or has fallen?

Due to bad weather, a tombstone, especially a temporary one made of lightweight material and installed without a solid foundation, can become askew or even fall. If the crucifix is ​​lopsided, it should be corrected, a dense earthen mound should be made and it should be compacted well. The cross should stand straight on the grave.

There are two opinions about fallen crosses, but they agree that this is an unfavorable sign. Some argue that a toppled tombstone can simply be reinstalled, but this time done more high-quality installation. According to others, fallen cross should be burned and a new one installed in its place. Be that as it may, the Church recommends ordering a prayer service for the repose or lighting a candle if this happened at the grave of your loved one.

Signs and superstitions

Many people associate various superstitions with grave crosses. They cast fortunes on them, remove and damage them, cast love spells and conspiracies. Orthodox Church disapproves of such rituals; they are called pagan. The Holy Fathers assert that if you notice unkind signs associated with tombstone crosses, as if someone wants to bring trouble upon you, you should not be afraid and take it too seriously. You need to strengthen your faith, go to church, pray, accept holy communion, then no misfortunes will be able to touch either you or your family.

One way or another, many different signs and religious requirements are associated with crosses. To bury a loved one, thoroughly observing the instructions of the Church, is a laudable, good desire, but if faith lives in the heart and sincere prayers for the deceased come from the depths of the soul, then you should not be afraid of making small mistakes associated with the installation of a tombstone cross.