Every now and then, people give unusual instructions for what to do with their mortal remains after their deaths.

In Athens, Ala., a preacher was allegedly buried “standing up” so he could continue spreading the word; in Huntsville, a young woman was reportedly buried with a rocking chair in the crypt for her use in the afterlife.

So, it may not seem so strange to learn that an Alabamian requested to be buried in his feather bed, but surely it’s unusual that two people in the state were reportedly buried that way. One grave, located in Kinston, is the source of a well-known legend; the second grave is located in Auburn.

Here are their stories:

Uncle Billy Mitchell

William Mitchell was a prosperous farmer, and a well-known figure in Auburn. He was born May 17, 1787, in Georgia to a Revolutionary War officer and his wife. Mitchell married Martha Hill and moved to Alabama sometime in the 1830s.

Everyone in town knew the amiable farmer as “Uncle Billy.” Before his death on April 2, 1856, Mitchell requested to be buried lying atop his feather bed.

A historical marker beside his grave in Pine Hill Cemetery says, “Mitchell believed a man should be comfortable and made specific arrangements for his eternal rest. His is a brick crypt above ground, not a typical grave at Pine Hill, but where he now eternally sleeps in his feather bed, his shoes tucked below.”

Grancer the Dancer

William “Grancer” Harrison was born in South Carolina in 1789 and lived in Coffee County, Alabama, until his death in 1860. His tale is recorded in Kathryn Tucker Windham’s “Thirteen Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey.”

Harrison was a wealthy and respected cotton farmer who lived in Kinston. He was known for his zest for life and frequently hosted parties. His barn dances became so popular that he eventually had a dance hall built on his plantation and invited residents to come every weekend. Harrison was the most enthusiastic dancer of them all.

Before Harrison’s death, he made arrangements for his burial. In her book, Windham reported that his tomb was built by master brick masons, who left the top open. Harrison asked that, upon his death, his feather bed be lowered into the tomb and his body placed atop, dressed in his dancing clothes and shoes. He also asked that people continue to use his dance hall so he could hear the sounds of dancing.

Upon his death, Harrison’s instructions were carried out to the letter and the unusual request gave rise to legends. People would report passing the odd-looking tomb and hearing the strains of a fiddle and the accompanying tapping of clogs. Some even said they could hear a man’s voice calling square dance moves.

The grave is located in Harrison Cemetery in Kinston. It is shown in the photo above in 1960, when it was covered by a wooden structure.