E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Lifting (The).
In Scotland means lifting the coffin on the shoulders of the bearers. Certain ceremonies preceded the funeral.
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“When at the funeral of an ordinary husbandman, one o’clock was named as the hour for ‘lifting,’ the party began to assemble two hours previously.”—Saladin: Agnostic Journal, Jan. 14, 1893, p. 27.
At the first service were offered meat and ale; at the second, shortbread and whisky; at the third, seed-cake and wine; at the fourth, currant-bun and rum: at the last, sugar-biscuits and brandy.
