Not that bizarre. It was always the custom to tell the bees when the beekeeper had died.
I have no idea where the custom started, but I think it’s done in many countries.
As seen on an episode of “MIDSOMER MURDERS”, if remembered
correctly. Old wives have long tales.... like that of:
a woman in labor places a knife under her back in order
to cut the pain. Soes it work? Do queen bees move on even
after being told their queen has passed?