In shape shifting any animate object can alter in form or substance and there are no limit to the kinds of objects susceptible to such alteration. Examples abound of the shape shifting of plants, animals, humans and gods.
According to traditional Gypsy beliefs, life for the dead continues on another level. There is a great fear among the survivors that the dead might return in some supernatural form to haunt the living. It is for this reason that the name of the dead should not be mentioned, that the body of the deceased should not be touched, and that all objects that belonged to the dead must be destroyed. The survivors must be protected in every way from the evil marimé (polluting) spirits that the dead can emit. To avoid this, stones or thorn bushes are sometimes placed around the grave. The Roma believe that the soul of the dead might be reincarnated in another man or animal. Most feared of all is the possible reap-pearance of the dead as a muló or "living dead." Unless strict precautions are taken, this muló might escape from the body and seek revenge on those who had harmed him when living or had caused his death. The mere sight of a muló, who can appear as a wolf, terrorises the living. It is a certain sign of bad luck. A belief in the supernatural obviously plays a significant role in many aspects of Romany life. However, of all their rites, the customs and rituals connected with death are more filled with fear and superstition than any others.