Passing Bell

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

the bell which in former times was tolled when any person was dying or passing out of this life. It is tolled in England at the burial of any parishioner, the practice being enjoined in the sixth canon of the Church of England. In the United States the practice of tolling the bell on the occurrence of death and at the funeral service was formerly very general, but it is gradually becoming rare, especially in large places. In hamlets and villages, where greater intimacy prevails among the people than in the cities, the tolling of the bell to register the death-stroke will probably continue for some time yet. One of the peculiar features of this practice is the notice by the bell of the age of the deceased.