1250. In regard to the ceremonies at the grave, usage differs widely. In
New England it is usual for near relatives to attend; and, in the case of
important persons, for a procession to march to the cemetery. Among
Catholics a great number of friends attend the hearse of persons in
humble life.

1251. It is an old Connecticut custom that the yard gate should never be
shut after being opened to let through a body being carried from its
former home to the graveyard.

1252. The funeral procession must not cross a river.
_Baldwinsville, N.Y._

1253. "I was first led to notice the superstition about crossing a river,
from having to attend funerals on the south side, when they would
otherwise have been held on the north side. This is losing ground, owing
to the frequency of crossing to reach the cemetery, but I had an instance
only last spring."
_Baldwinsville, N.Y._

1254. The corpse must not pass twice over any part of the same road.
_Baldwinsville, N.Y._

1255. It is unlucky in a funeral, for those present to repass the house
where death has occurred.
_Baldwinsville, N.Y._

1256. At a funeral, entering church before the mourners means death to
some of the entering party.
_Boston, Mass._

1257. It is a bad sign to drive past a funeral procession.
_Maine._

1258. It is unlucky to pass through a funeral procession, either between
the carriages or the files of mourners on foot.

This is a general superstition. The custom, which has become instinctive
with many persons, is usually set down to the score of decency and
propriety.
_General in the United States._

1259. To meet a funeral is bad luck. To avert it, turn round and take
three steps backward before going on.
_St. John, N.B._

1260. It is bad luck to meet a corpse. One may follow it, but never meet
it. A colored person will turn square about on seeing a funeral
procession approaching.
_Talladega, Ala., and Virginia._

1261. To keep the corpse in the house over Sunday will bring death in the
family before the year is out.
_South Framingham, Mass._

1262. If the grave is left open over Sunday, another death will occur
before the Sunday following.
_Boxford, Mass._

1263. If a grave is covered on Friday, another in the same family will
follow inside of a year.
_Chatham, N.B._

1264. If a grave is left open over night without the c