The Graveyard Shift

England is ancient and doesn't cover a lot of ground. When they started running out of space to bury people they would dig up coffins after so many years and reuse the graves. In reopening these coffins about 1 in 25 were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realised they had been burying people alive.

So they tied a string on the deceased's wrist and led it through the coffin lid and up through the ground and tied it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night and listen for the bell.

Hence, the Graveyard Shift.

This explanation is discounted by many who think it is merely "a good tale." I agree - It is a good tale! And the title of another article section of the Western Washington Graveyard Rabbit where you will find some good tales.