EMPIRES children: THE PEOPLE OF TZINTZUNTZAN FOSTER 



269 



spite of the doctrine that the child is better off 

 than if it had lived. Baptismal godparents are 

 expected to buy burial clothing for angelitos, 

 consisting of a white dress and blue cape for 

 girls, and '"saints" clothing for boys, consisting 

 of brightly colored tunic and stockings. Chil- 

 dren of both sexes wear a crown of silver paper 

 adorned with flowers. The white wooden coffin 

 normally is paid for by the same godparents, 

 though confirmation godparents have also been 

 known to do so. 



Older unmarried persons also are buried as 

 angelitos if they are believed never to have had 

 sexual relations. Their salvation is less certain, 

 however, and it is thought that they, like other 

 adults, must pass through Purgatory before 

 reaching Heaven. 



All other persons are considered to be adult 

 sinners, hence must pass through Purgatory, and 

 cannot be buried in white or colored clothing in 

 a white coffin. 



Immediately after the death of an angelito the 

 body is placed on a table inside the house and 

 properly dressed. Particularly in the case of 

 the Tarascans arcos, or flower-covered arches 

 of the same type as those used for the All Saints' 

 celebration, are placed on the table. Adults 

 are dressed in new clothing and laid directly in 

 a black wooden coffin which is placed on a bed, 

 or raised slightly off the floor on boards. A 

 tall candle in a holder is placed at each of the 

 four corners of the box or table. Whereas angeli- 

 tos are carried to the cemetery either on the 

 table itself or in an uncovered coffin, the 

 coffins of adults are closed before they leave 

 the house. 



A wake attended by relatives and friends is 

 held during the night before burial. A rezandero 

 leads prayers and, in the case of angelitos, 

 musicians are hired when economically possi- 

 ble. Funerals usually are not held until the 

 afternoon following death, between noon and 

 3 o'clock. Sometimes if the priest is in the old 

 convent he will be asked to come to say the 

 Benediction; otherwise he takes no part in funer- 

 al observances. 



Meanwhile the grave is dug by relatives, 

 compadres, or friends. When it has reached a 

 depth of a little less than 2 m. a narrower 

 trench, just wide and long enough to accom- 

 modate the coffin, is excavated. After the proces- 



sion arrives at the cemetery, the body, if that 

 of a child, is removed from the table and placed 

 in the coffin which has followed it through the 

 streets. Palm leaves are torn from the fronds 

 which have been carried by the participants and 

 scattered on the floor of the excavation. The 

 coffin is then lowered into the trench, with the 

 head toward the east, and covered with slabs of 

 rock so that it remains protected from the weight 

 of the earth above, in a sort of stone-roofed 

 chamber. Then holy water is sprinkled, each 

 person takes a handful of earth, makes the sign 

 of the cross, and throws the dirt in the grave. 

 After filling the excavation the mound is slight- 

 ly tamped, several lighted candles are placed at 

 the head, and then the members of the funeral 

 party adjourn to the home of the closest surviv- 

 ors where a feast has been prepared. A novena 

 at which prayers are led by a rezandero is held 

 for the nine following nights. On the last night 

 the family altar is freshly decorated with flowers 

 and lighted candles, and after prayers pozole is 

 served. 



The Last Rites are administered to a dying 

 person whenever the priest is able to come. After 

 hearing the confession of the dying person the 

 sacerdote anoints the body with los santos oleos 

 (holy oil) on the nostrils, chest, nape of the 

 neck, hands, and feet. Masses for the dead 

 usually are held on Mondays. On a table in the 

 center of the nave a small gold image is placed 

 on a black velvet cloth, and at its feet a human 

 skull is laid. At each corner of this "tomb" a 

 tall candle is placed. The priest usually charges 

 $4 for a Mass of the dead, though the cost may 

 be less for a poor person, or considerably more 

 for a well-to-do family. 



A case history reveals in greater detail some 

 of the events which characterize death obser- 

 vances. It is that of a 14-year old Tarascan girl 

 of Ojo de Agua, killed by lightning along with 

 her godmother in June 1945, while on her way 

 to eat at the house of the latter." 



fhe body of the girl is brought to her home, and 

 in the afternoon the godparents bring the white and 

 blue clothing with which the body must be dressed. 

 A table is set up before the family altar and deco- 

 rated with arches to which flowers and palm fronds 

 are fastened. After the body has been laid in state. 



13 Antonia Corona, whose Day of the Dead festivities are 

 described on pages 219-220. 



