Our Donauschwaben ancestors could meet their Maker with a clear conscience, because they always honored, prayed, suffered and worked in His name. In daily life, they confronted swampland and transformed it into the breadbasket of Europe. Death took its toll, carrying away many of them in their best years and death raved mercilessly among small children.  But never were they afraid to meet their Maker when the time arrived, as faith and death were both constant companions in their lives. Not many pictures are available on this subject, but those we have presented help to provide an understanding of their faith, which carried them through the death of a loved one.

     When the passing of a family member drew near, and it became apparent that death was at the doorstep, one sent for the “Kirchendiener” to toll “Ziehglöchen,” summoning the relatives to the house to say their last farewells.   The “Ziehglöchen” was the smallest of all the bells, and was only used to announce someone’s impending death. The family then notified the priest to come to the house, hear confession and administer the Holy Communion and last rites. The priest would come dressed in his white gown and stole, carrying the holy bread. Along the way, the church servant rang his small bell and the passersby would kneel and receive the blessing of the priest.

    For the priest’s arrival at the house, a small table was prepared with a tablecloth for placement of all the items the priest brought to hold confession and administer the Holy Communion, including the holy oils. Also placed on the table, was a small rosemary branch used to sprinkle holy water.  When it appeared that the sick person was about to depart from this world, a blessed candle was placed into the hand of the dying to light his way to the beyond, to happiness.

     After the death occurred, the windows were opened for the soul to leave the room and travel on its journey to heaven. Then someone closed the eyes of the deceased and placed two copper coins on the eyelids so they would stay closed. The body was then washed, dressed and laid out, the hands placed in a praying position and a cross placed in the hands around which a rosary was wound.  The windows were draped with black cloth. When the coffin arrived from the carpenter, sawdust was placed in it to create a bed, which then was covered with a white cloth and the deceased placed upon it.

     The coffin was usually placed in the center of a room in the home.  Around the coffin were placed 4 or 6 light stands for candles, which were about three feet in height.  At the foot of the deceased, a holy water vessel was placed with small rosemary branches to be used for sprinkling holy water on the corpse. One of the relatives went to the church to make the funeral arrangement with the priest.

     During the evening, relatives and friends arrived to visit and pay their final respects. At the wake, the ceremony included a eulogy and many prayers, after which bread, wine and brandy would be served in an adjacent room, as they held guard and prayed all night for the departed, until the night faded into day. At that time, the people rushed home to get a few hours of rest and then returned for the funeral, which was usually held at two in the afternoon.

     After short prayer sessions, the coffin was closed and the pallbearers took their places.  The procession to the church began, led by an altar boy carrying a cross.  During the procession, prayers for the departed were offered and the rosary spoken.  In several towns, it was also customary to have a lantern, church flags or the volunteer firefighter providing an escort, accompanying the funeral processions. 

     The procession would stop at the church for a short vesper, followed by the journey to the cemetery chapel.  As soon as the procession reached the cemetery gate, the bells in the chapel began to toll as the procession made its way to the chapel for a short visit. The procession then continued to the gravesite and after another short ceremony, the coffin was lowered and soil placed upon it, first by the priest as part of the ceremony, followed by relatives and friends.  After the funeral, everyone met in the local “Gasthaus” for a short meal and to reminisce about the life of the dear departed.  Life did go on for those who were left behind to mourn.

An idyllic winter setting of the cemetery in Batschsentiwan, Batschka among pine trees and a chapel in the background.

Excerpts from the book “The Last Generation Forgotten and Left to Die” by Hans Kopp, with additions for the study of the history of the Donauschwaben, their heritage, customs and social mores. All Rights reserved. ISBN No. 0-9701109-0-1. Copyright 1999 and 2006.  Reproduction of this material for resale is prohibited by law. Special permission is granted to the “Donauschwaben Village Helping Hands Project" to be published on their webpage as “An Illustrated History of the Donauschwaben”

A widow grieves for her husband at a typical “showing” at home.  Notice the simple coffin made of wood in which the body is bedded and the folded hands in which a cross is placed. Upon his chest are notes to the deceased, and around the coffin are decorations of flowers and several rosemary branches. The rosary is not visible, but we are certain it was wrapped around his hands.  Batschsentiwan, Batschka.

The ribbon reads: "rest gently from your brother and friends," and the lid of the coven (coffin) leans in wait against the wall.  Note the beautiful cutwork embroidery on the white coverlet and the vessel of holy water on the bench with perhaps a sprig of rosemary in it for sprinkling.  The candle holders and large cross will return to the church after the service. Batsch-Brestowatz, 1921.

The coffin of the deceased at this wake is far more elaborate, which indicates the funeral of a more affluent citizen. The priest is giving the last ceremony at home, and we can see the small table with the candleholders. The guards are most likely from the volunteer firefighter’s brigade with relatives and friends. Batschsentiwan, Batschka.

This is perhaps the longest Donauschwaben funeral procession captured on film from Neu-Passau, Banat and it typifies the huge participation in which the dead were honored and sent on their way to heaven.

A last moment is taken by the family at the cemetery. In the background are the church flags carried during the procession. Batschsentiwan, Batschka.

Visiting relatives are frequently seen sitting at the gravesites. Novo Selo, Batschka. 

The final blessings are given by the priest as an altar boy holds the holy water vessel and the priest’s head cover. The young women hold songbooks in Bukin, Batschka.

Our departed are remembered on all souls day. Novo Selo, Batschka.