The "Who Doesn't Have Raisin Pie At Their Funeral?" Story

It was an ordinary day.   Reading about Mennonite, or Pennsylvania Dutch, funerals in Lancaster County sometime in the late 1800s and even in the 1900s.  Story told of a traditional funeral not being complete unless a funerary feast followed the funeral.  And, the star of the funeral banquet was raisin pie, a dish so tied to the event that it became a euphemism for death itself.  When an ailing member of the community took a turn for the worse, it was not uncommon to hear someone solemnly declare, “There will be a raisin pie soon.’  In 19-century Pennsylvania German homes, it meant one thing: Death was near.  Once death arrived, so too would friends and neighbors, coming to “redd up” the bereaved family’s home for the funeral.  This also meant cooking, cleaning and baking raisin pie. 

The treat was such a common sight at post-memorial meals, it also became known as “funeral pie.”  The highly-anticipated home-made, raisin treat would have been considered a luxury in the 1800s as well as the 1900s.  Why were funeral feasts so elaborate?  Well, the meal was a way to socialize with the community and bring everyone together under one roof and feed them, and remind them that we’re all one family and we’re all friends.

Providing the meal was part of an unspoken rule of hospitality, since many guests were making the journey from afar, and it was only right to host a mega-sized feast.  Post funeral meals usually consisted of beef, ham, cheese, coffee, cakes, loaves of bread, and….raisin pie!   Your funeral meal was said to be “The best meal you never had.”  Today funeral meals have changed somewhat, but traditional spreads still take place today.  Today they may be a bit different with stewed chicken, casseroles and pizza.  The “Tradition” hasn’t changed, it’s just a different treat.  But, raisin pie is still a sweet and comforting treat that no one should have to wait for a funeral to enjoy.  One person even said, “It’s great, but I don’t want to have to look at a dead body while I’m eating my raisin pie.”  Well, today raisin pie has begun to disappear from funeral tables.  Perhaps it takes too much effort to make or maybe the younger generation no longer associates it with death.  Many still say that it is a great, sweet and comforting treat that one should not have to wait for a funeral to enjoy.  Boy…typing this story has made me hungry for a piece of raisin pie.  Gotta find my dear wife.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.