Sins of the Sin-Eaters

If we are born without sin, shouldn't we die without sin?Sin-eating rituals, once prevalent in England, Scotland, and Wales as far back as the 1600s, had all but vanished by the 1900s. This intriguing practice involved individuals known as Sin-eaters, who consumed food and drink to symbolically absolve the sins of the deceased, thereby ensuring their souls could find peace in the afterlife. Society ostracised yet revered Sin-eaters.Midwife Roberta, who delivered sin-free newborns into this world, questioned whether she could assist with the sins of the dying. Undeterred by associated societal stigmas, she found herself compelled to the role of a modern Sin-eater. Her journey began in childhood, sparked by seeing a ritual following the death of her coal-mining grandfather, which had been brushed aside as "just tradition." Her bond with her blacksmith grandfather--an empathetic man who meticulously documented mining tragedies--shaped her deep sense of compassion and responsibility towards others.Despite the unexpected financial gain from her new vocation, Roberta confronted significant moral and existential dilemmas regarding her purpose and its consequences. As she navigates these challenges, she grapples with complex themes of tradition, redemption, and the personal sacrifices that come with her unique calling.