Bees bring us various blessings like honey and beeswax, and are highly valued in Europe. It is said that bees are considered part of a beekeeper's family. Therefore, there is a tradition to report to bees about important events in the family. In Britain, when a beekeeper has passed away, details of the death are explained after hitting a beehive three times with a house key. Then the beehive is covered with a black cloth which symbolizes mourning. It is said that if they neglect to follow the procedure, sad bees will fly away from the beehive or "follow their master to the grave." This kind of custom is also found among American Indians of the Ozark Mountains. This might be a European custom which was brought over with bees.

Again in Britain, when a daughter of a beekeeper gets married, he has to announce the marriage to the bees. They say that if the beekeeper doesn't tell the bees the bridegroom's name and other information properly, angry bees will sting people indiscriminately. Both of these examples show a psychological relation to bees in Europe where beekeeping is popular.