Coins for the dead

Die Gartenlaube (1886) b 543 2

Coins for the dead

Coins for the dead are a cultural practice found in various civilizations throughout history. The act of placing coins on or near the deceased has been observed in different funerary customs and beliefs. These coins hold symbolic significance and serve various purposes depending on the culture and time period.

In ancient Greek and Roman societies, coins were often placed in the mouths of the deceased as payment for Charon, the ferryman who transported souls across the river Styx to the afterlife. This practice was believed to ensure a safe passage to the underworld. The coins were also seen as a form of wealth that the deceased could use in the afterlife.

In Chinese tradition, coins are sometimes buried with the deceased to provide them with wealth and prosperity in the afterlife. These coins are typically placed in the deceased's hands or scattered around the burial site as offerings to the spirits.

In some Native American cultures, coins or other valuable items are placed in the grave as offerings to the deceased or as a way to assist them in their journey to the spirit world. These offerings are meant to show respect and honor to the departed.

The practice of placing coins for the dead continues to be observed in modern times, albeit with variations based on cultural and religious beliefs. Some people place coins on gravestones as a sign of remembrance or to signify that the deceased will not be forgotten.

Overall, coins for the dead reflect the universal human desire to honor and remember the departed in meaningful ways that transcend time and cultural boundaries.