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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: 1930s | | Notes: According to local tradition pallbearers had to make sure that when they carried the deceased through a door or passageway his feet (rather than his head) would go through the opening first. The reason for this was simple -- when one walks one puts out one's feet first (rather than one's head), so it was understood the deceased should have the same privilege. At a funeral mass, a coffin would be carried in such a way that the deceased was brought into the church (feet first) and then at the end of the funeral mass, when the coffin was brought out, the coffin would be turned around so that the individual's feet would go out through the church door first. The crucifix that adorned the coffin would also be placed in such a way that the feet of Jesus Christ would go through the doorway first. | Contributed by: Notes by Mrs. Rosina Melfi; image, NYPL Digital Gallery, #1224153
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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy | | Date: 1938 | | Notes: The photo was taken at the funeral of Antonio Palazzo, the contributor's brother and first-born infant son of her parents, Angelica and Giovanni Palazzo. | Contributed by: Olga Palazzo
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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: Current | | Notes: The contributor's maternal great grandfather had a long and eventful life. | Contributed by: Mary Melfi
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