Burying a corpse upside - down was widespread , as was placing earthly objects , such as scythes or sickles , near the grave to satisfy any demons entering the body or to appease the dead .
Dead would not wish to arise from dead 's coffin .
Burying a corpse upside - down was widespread , as was placing earthly objects , such as scythes or sickles , near the grave to satisfy any demons entering the body or to appease the dead so that it would not wish to arise from its coffin .