Which religion is it that for a wake or funeral they put coins over the eyes of the deceased? And why?

Question

What does this represent/mean?
I just watched a movie where they did this, and I've heard of it before, but I've no idea which religion(s) do this.
Thanks! :)

Answer 1

The coins are to "pay the ferryman." Many ancient religions believed that death was a PHYSICAL passage, and at some point, you would need to cross a dangerous river. The toll for that crossing was always hard coin, so the deceased was given a couple of small-demonination coins to buy his way into heaven.
However, originally, the coin was placed in the MOUTH, where it would not fall off or get lost. The mouth is the body's carry-all place when one is naked, after all.
But in some cultures, the body is displayed publicly prior to burial, to prove that the late individual is indeed dead, and not just asleep or on vacation or something. The practice meant that the body would be lying around for a number of days, waiting for the family to arrive from distant parts for the "viewing."
Now, human bodies don't keep that well at room temperature. There are a number of vermin that consider a deceased human to be a regular smorgasbord, and the eyes, in particular, can become very popular. Thus, the practice evolved of placing coins over the dead person's eyes, to deter enterprising bugs from burrowing, and to conceal them when and if they did do.
So it was a mix of the divine (paying the ferryman) and the profane (concealing rot).
Hope that helps and bon apetite!

Answer 2

I don't think it's a religious thing but if a funeral involves an open coffin then coins will be put on the body's eyelids for the first 48hrs after death to stop rigamortis pulling the eyelids open. There's something quite disturbing about a dead person with wide open eyes.

Answer 3

It is a greek tradtion for the coin over the eyes, to pay the ferryman..
but a wake is also along the lines of catholic.. I am unsure as to what the danomination would be, of somebody from Greece.

Answer 4

its probably a Paegan practice and not any particular ritual associated with a particular religion. The coins are for "the one taking the dead across to the other side."
Its a symbol of love, concern, respect for the deceased.

Answer 5

It was traditional in ancient Greece (and probably holds over there today) so that the deceased can pay the ferryman to cross the river Styx into the underworld.

There are other places, I'm just not sure where/who.

Answer 6

Have you ever went to a funeral, being close to the dead person who opened the eyes to turn on you, and say have you lost something. That's why they do coins on the eyelids of a dead person, for tempting you to pick them up, and get your surprise.

Answer 7

I'm not sure how far back you are going but in the earlly 1930's or so when we had many, many mafia type groups, the Irish underground if it involved a christian person, would put coins in the eyes of their victims.

Answer 8

It's because a lot of people like to tip corpses. Corpses tend to not have any pockets, so the eyes are as good a place as any for gratuity placement.

Also, this only happens in satanism.

Enjoy Coke!

Answer 9

I don't think it's a religious thing more cultural. I'm sure there is meaning but most likely keep the eys closed, more commonly the morticians sew the lids together now days

Answer 10

i'm not exactly sure, but i believe it was roman or greek. they put the coins over the eyes to pay the boatman to take them across the river styx to the afterlife. those who didn't have the coins where cursed to wander around in limbo.