Irish Traditions?

Question

Upon asking family about the traditions and well It doesnt help. What I am trying to ask is what does it mean when they put pennies over a deceased ones eyes?

Answer 1

Actually the practice is done in many cultures but here is the answer:

Thanatos, the Greek embodiment of Death is described as "the figure of a priest in sable garments and the twin brother of Morpheus (sleep)." The Greeks endeavored to exclude any thought of his gloomy nature by viewing him as a "gentle god, who came quietly upon the dying." Death is personified with a   ferryman who carries the souls of the dead across the Lethe, (which means 'river of forgetfulness').

It is from this culture that we get the concept of "paying the ferryman" for passage to the other side. If no payment was rendered unto him, usually the equivalent of a farthing or penny, the soul was destined to wander beside the river eternally.

Hence, the practice of putting pennies on a dead man's eyes.

Answer 2

I always heard that it was to pay for the boat ride to the other side.

Answer 3

it means they don't want the corpse to open its eyes during the wake

Answer 4

i don't know that this is just an irish tradition. but i have been told two things. one is the weight of the pennies holds the lids down so they don't pop open. the other is so that the dead can pay the ferry man.

Answer 5

I am of Irish decend and heard it was to keep the eyes from openning..

never lived in Ireland but would like to visit