faire chlaidh

The faire chlaidh, or "graveyard watch," is the spirit of the most recently buried person in a Scottish churchyard who must protect it until the next funeral provides a replacement guardian. These spirits have been described in various forms, including as a moving flame that paces the graveyard day and night. The role was considered burdensome enough that fights ensued between funeral parties over who would be buried first to avoid their deceased taking the watch.