Why, specifically, are you not supposed to walk on someones grave?

Question

Besides being disrespectful, is it supposed to be bad luck,? A curse that follows the mortal remains into the after-life,? Some kind of religious belief? Or what? And where did this originate?

Answer 1

You'll find out when you feel a cold, clammy hand grabbing your ankle...

HAHAHAHAAHAHA

Oh, and from the link below:
"If a pregnant woman walks over a grave, her child will die"

Answer 2

It's old wise tale, that states a number different bad luck superstitions about walking on someone's grave. Most are harmless fables, but if you believe in a superstition then maybe it's possible something bad will happen.

From the Book ("Walking on or stepping over a grave is frowned upon in many European Countries, particularly if the grave contains the body of an unbaptised child, and the offender may be punished by catching a fatal disease popularly called 'grave-scab'. If pregnant or married woman walks on a grave, any child she may have may be born with club foot. It very unlucky to pick flowers growing on a grave as well.)
I wouldn't worry about it, but do as you will, Best of luck, peace.

Answer 3

It's dated back to antiquity.. Today it's simply just disrespectful. Some cultures have adapted an aura of religious intolerance or reverence for the grave. Many regard tombs, graves, and body's sacred. Hundreds (thousands) of years ago, only higher ranking individuals in a group/society were given burial. With their deaths came legends/tales which were passed on through generations. Some times tales would attach curses/misfortune with them upon being within distance of the dead. Much of this was probably due to the fact that many were buried with "treasures" to take with them into their next life. (for example look at ancient Egypt) To prevent grave robbing people would be told of curses, and grave misfortune that happened to people who worked/lived/roamed the area of the dead... also to simply enhance the image of the individual as well. Traditions like these were passed on culturally, and simply became ingrained into their belief systems, to a point where it becomes wrong for anyone to disgrace a persons grave. Elements of this exist today in every culture.

Answer 4

You do not walk on someones grave to be respectful to the living family and friends of the deceased. Also in some cases, the ground sometimes takes a while for a new graves dirt to settle, and it could drop off with any weight upon it. So, it might cause a body to twist an ankle or frighten whoever might sink to their knees on a grave. I know it would freak me out.

Answer 5

I have never heard of that. When I was a child I had a grave yard located behind my back yard. I use to play there. I have walked all over peoples graves and jumped around on their tombstones, sorry. It must be out of respect for the dead is all I can think of. I Guess I'm jinxed forever.

Answer 6

I thought it was ok.. if you think about it.. you walk on top of dead things all the time... even people from long ago. In a city near where my mom grew up.... some of the streets were paved over dead bodies and that's why it smells so bad in the air and water. It's a very haunted place too. So i guess by saying all of that, it is disturbing.

Answer 7

Superstition. If you think about how many people have died on this earth, it's difficult NOT to walk on somebody's grave. My own state is chock-full of ancient burial mounds scattered over the countryside. Most people don't even recognize them. Cows graze on them. I have been in the cemetery and walked on graves. I don't think the dead care. They have other concerns now besides guarding their real estate.

Answer 8

The bible is very clear on the state of the dead, the dead know not anything Eccl.9:5 it may be disrespectful but there is no harm to anyone dead, it may be superstition but don't know where it comes from, free bible lessons i do know about its at www.itiswritten.com talk to me also [e-mail] God bless

Answer 9

I don't think that this is a religious thing, just pure respect for the dead.

Answer 10

It is just rude, like walking through someones garden to get to there door.