Atlas Obscura has a brief, but interesting, post this week about Amish raisin pie.  The post gives the reasons why raisins became such a funeral staple among the Amish. "Death and raisins share one essential feature: neither belongs to any one season. Eighteenth-century Amish and old-order Mennonites of Pennsylvania were no strangers to the harsh realities of sudden loss, but amidst tragedy, raisins were there. The preserved grapes were a pantry staple—shelf-stable and ready-to-eat throughout the year." One can see that in times of emergencies, it would be easy and simple to look to raisins for quick on hand baking.