When the lives of Vlkolínec’s inhabitants drew near their end and they could no longer work, they remained at home.
The evening before death, visitors would come to pray with the sick person. If the dying had been at odds with their children, this was the time for reconciliation.
As the dying drew their last breath, the family informed the bell-ringer, who immediately rang the church bell. The entire village paused and prayed for the departed.
Next, the family called the coroner, who formally confirmed the death. The mirror in the room was covered, and the clocks stopped. The deceased was dressed, and a carpenter was summoned to make a coffin. Once ready, the coffin was placed in the centre of the room and surrounded by candlesticks with burning candles. Beside it lay a branch from a coniferous tree and a cup of holy water.
On the evening before the funeral, people came to pay their respects to the deceased and offer prayers.
On the day of the funeral, relatives dressed in black and ceased all work. When the appointed hour arrived, the coffin was carried outside and laid upon the bier. All the villagers gathered, and the priest arrived. The women sang a mournful song: “I go now to the grave, sad and dark, where I shall rest till judgment day…” Then the funeral procession set off for the cemetery. Along the way, the priest sang psalms, accompanied by the tolling of bells from the church and belfry.
At the cemetery, the priest blessed the freshly dug grave and prayed for the departed soul. After a brief ceremony, the gravediggers lowered the coffin into the earth amid the women’s sobbing. If the weeping widow said, “I bid you farewell, I remain alone,” it signified her decision never to marry again.
Following the funeral, a wake was held, where all the relatives gathered.
