As a last preparation for the grave, a small hole is burned in each garment worn by the dead person, for otherwise the spirit Ibwa will envy him his clothing and attempt to steal them.  The corpse is then wrapped in a mat, and is carried from the house. [104] The bearers go directly to the balaua, [105] and rest the body in it for a moment.  Unless this is done, the spirit will be poor in its future life and unable to build balaua.

The body is deposited full length in the grave, the stone slabs are relaid, the chinks between them filled in with damp clay, and the grave is refilled. [106] As the last earth is pushed in, a small pig is killed, and its blood is sprinkled on the loose soil.  Meanwhile Selday is besought to respect the grave and leave it untouched.  The animal is cut up, and a small piece is given to each guest, who will stop on the way to his home, and place the meat on the ground as an offering, meanwhile repeating a diam.  Should he fail to do this, sickness or death is certain to visit his home or village.

As a further protection against evily disposed spirits, especially Ibwa, an iron plough-point is placed over the grave, “for most evil spirits fear iron;” and during this night and the nine succeeding, a fire is kept burning at the grave and at the foot of the house-ladder. [107]

That night the men spend about an hour in the house of mourning, singing sang-sangit, a song in which they praise the dead man, encourage the widow, and bespeak the welfare of the family.  The wailers still remain in the dwelling to protect the widow, and a male relative is detailed to see that the fire at the foot of the ladder is kept burning brightly.

Early the next morning, the widow, closely guarded by the wailers, goes to the river, throws her headband into the water, and then goes in herself.  As she sinks in the water, an old man throws a bundle of burning rice-straw on her.  “The water will wash away some of the sorrow, and the fire will make her thoughts clear.”  Upon her return to the village, the grave is enclosed with a bamboo fence, and above it is hung a shallow box-like frame, known as patay, in which are placed the articles needed by the spirit. [108] Within the house the mat and pillow of the dead are laid ready for use, and at meal time food is placed beside it.  The length of time that the mat is left spread out differs somewhat between towns and families.  In some cases it is taken up at the end of the period of taboo, while in others it is not rolled up; nor are the windows of the house opened until after the celebration of the Layog ceremony, a year later.