Combs buried with the Dead

When the corpse of St. Cuthbert was disinterred in the cathedral of Durham, there was found upon his breast a plain simple Saxon *comb*. A similar relique has been also discovered in other sepulchres of the same sanctuary. Can any of your learned contributors inform me (for I am totally ignorant) the origin and intent of this strange accompaniment of the burial of the ancient dead. The comb of St. Cuthbert is, I believe, carefully preserved by the Dean and Chapter of Durham.