_Ancient Churchyard Customs._--In an article in _The Ecclesiologist_ on
churchyards and churchyard crosses,--but not having the volume by me, I
am unable to give an exact reference,--it is stated,
"In them (churchyards) prayers are not now commonly poured forth
to God nor are doles distributed to His poor; the epitsphium is
no longer delivered from the steps of the churchyard cross, nor
does the solemn lamprophoria symbolize the life of the
deceased."
I shall be much obliged for a fuller account of these ancient customs,
more particularly of the last two, and for notes of any allusions to
them in old books. I may say the same with reference to the following
extract from the _Handbook of English Ecclesiology_, p. 190.:
"Under this head may also be mentioned the _Funa'l_ or
_Deadlight_, which was lighted in some churchyards at night."