Sin Eater: A Superstitious Tale

In the past, we would have a number of odd jobs that, for the lack of practicality and significance, no longer exist. Jobs like Leech Collector, Fuller, or even Resurrectionist. And adding to the odd/creepy categories is the sin-eater. So what is a sin-eater? What is their “role” in their society at the time?

Sin-eater is a line of work with odd supernatural beliefs. The origin of this practice can be traced back to as early as the 1600s, across the rural area of the British Isles. At the time, following a death, the grieving family would summon (and pay) the sin-eater to perform a ritual that is believed to relieve the deceased of their sins.

This is how the practice goes: Upon arriving, the deceased’s family would pay the sin-eater and lead them to the corpse. The sin-eater would then consume the funerary food (it’s usually bread with an ale) prepared around the corpse; some were even placed on the deceased’s chest. It is believed that by consuming the funerary food, the deceased’s sins would inhabit the sin-eater’s body, thus enabling the deceased to ascend to Heaven.

After consuming the foods and drinks, the sin-eater would recite:

“I give easement and rest now to thee, dear man. Come not down the lanes or in our meadows. And for thy peace, I pawn my own soul. Amen.”

Afterward, the family of the deceased would chase the sin-eater out of their home with sticks and cinders while hurling abuse and insults. Some even go as far as burning the wooden bowl or platter used in the ritual.

Naturally, people feared those willing to “pawn their soul.” Given that most sin-eaters are beggars and drunkards who are willing to do anything for food and a little money, they live most of their lives devoid of social intercourse (they were only called upon when there is death), and people generally avoid them if they ever cross path with a sin-eater.

Not only were they shunned by the communities, but practicing sin-eating act were also frowned upon by the Catholic Churches. Those who resort to employing the sin-eaters were also seen as heretics and satan’s worshippers. For these reasons, this whole sin-eating business was usually kept secret. As a result, the records about this practice are limited.

This eerie practice died along with its last practitioner, Richard Munslow, in 1906. Interestingly, Richard is different from the other sin eater. He came from a well-off family and is a respected farmer. Richard started joining this tradition after the death of his children and allegedly doing it out of grief and love for his community. Appropriately in 2010, 104 years after his death, locals in Ratlinghope led by Reverend Norman Morris banded together to restore Richard’s grave.

Final Thoughts

To determine the impact this practice had on society at the time will be difficult, as there are limited records for this belief. Although seen as a taboo and superstitious, at the very least, this tradition offers some sense of comfort or hope to the family of the deceased that were unable to afford the traditional Christian last rite.

As for the sin-eaters themself, this practice has marginalized them from society as they are directly associated with this forbidden practice.

It is important to mention that the whole concept of sin-eating is not considered to be a legitimate spiritual practice in any mainstream religion, and has largely died out.

In the end, death is a natural part of life. And this superstitious yet fascinating tradition says a lot about how people back in the day dealt with mortality.

Reference:

Valjak, Domagoj (August 6, 2018). “The Macabre Story of Sin-Eaters.” The Vintage News.

Fraga, Kaleena (January 10, 2022). “The Bizarre History Of Sin Eaters, People Who Were Hired To Literally Consume The Misdeeds Of The Dead.” All That’s Interesting.

Puckle, Bertram S. (1926). "Chapter IV: Wakes, Mutes, Wailers, Sin-Eating, Totemism, Death-Taxes". Funeral Customs.

Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Sin-eater" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 146–147.