Abstract
According to K. V.
Chistov "continuing function of keening's tradition is not guaranteed by transmission of the texts, instead it is guaranteed by traditionality of the keening's reception - 'common places' (formulae) and rules of their chaining." As these formulas play such a crucial role, the article finds those occurring in both Slavic (Russian) and Baltic (Latvian and Lithuanian) area. Comparison among these metrically different burial folksongs follows the analysis within the framework of each language unit and discusses the image of an eternal house with objects of daily use, lying under a greensward, perception of the death as a sleep and subsequent encouragement to arise, formulae "on the high hill", "in the white/yellow sand", "in raw ground" and the motifs of reincarnation and a far journey.
None of the abovementioned common formulas seem to be of a Christian origin, however, they most likely emerge from common roots.