Why Do People Put Pennies on Gravestones?

A visit to a cemetery can be filled with mystery and history. If you've ever wandered through the gravestones in a cemetery, perhaps you noticed pennies sitting on some gravestones. The practice of leaving pennies on gravestones has a long and deep history dating back many hundreds of years.

  1. History

    • Placing pennies on gravestones originated in ancient times.

    Significance

    • People believed that placing pennies over the eyes of the dead was a means of paying their way to cross over to the other world.

    Effects

    • Over the years, the practice has evolved into surviving loved ones leaving pennies on gravestones.

    Theories/Speculation

    • Other cultures attach superstition and luck to the pennies and believe the coins bring good luck to the departed in their afterlife.

    Considerations

    • It's important that the pennies be placed heads-up on the gravestones for good luck.

    Fun Fact

    • People seem to enjoy choosing the brightest and shiniest pennies for placing on graves.

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