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[–] Chutney 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago 

It is a very old tradition to put coins over dead people's eyes, in their mouth, or in their pockets. I think it dates at least as far back as Ancient Greece, where the dead had to cross the Styx river in order to enter the underworld. The deceased would give the coins to Caron, who manned the boat that would get them across this river. If they didn't have a coin, they would be stuck on the wrong side of the water.

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[–] Kithsander 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago 

If I'm not mistaken, it's attributed to Assyrian burial customs that the Greeks adopted, but I could be wrong. Also, it's Charon or Kharon, typically.

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[–] Chutney ago 

Thank you, I knew it had to go further than the Greeks, but I don't think I've ever known when this tradition started.

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[–] NorthSouthPosition [S] 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

That is awesome dude. I forgot how much I loved reading about ancient Greek mythology. That stuff has interesting stories for days.

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[–] Chutney 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Yes, yes it does. And it's not just Greek mythology that's awesome, there's also Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Norse... actually I think all mythology is awesome.