The ancients considered death to be part of life. Members of the community were not left to themselves at this stage of life. Relatives and acquaintances would visit the seriously ill or dying and said farewell.

It was believed that the soul leaves the body at the moment of death. The pillow was removed from under the head of the dead person, the eyes were covered, coins were placed on top of them and the chin was tied up. At the moment of death, the clock was stopped and the mirror was covered with a blanket. The deceased was washed and dressed.

Once dressed, the dead were stretched out and when the coffin was brought in, it was laid out.

The family was assisted in the funeral arrangements by the funeral director, “funerátor”, “fonerátor”, “halottasember” (someone in the community who conducted funerals). As the news of death spread, relatives, friends and acquaintances went to visit the dead. Relatives and acquaintances paid their respects to the dead with a night vigil.

On the day of the funeral, the home of the deceased was decorated, the doors were covered with black drapery, the coffin was placed on the bier covered with black cloth, surrounded by the relatives of the dead, the mourners. At the end of the ceremony, the coffin was taken to the cemetery by cart, or in hand: with the help of St Michael’s horse, and later placed on the hearse.

The grave site was marked by wooden grave marker. This is a boat-shaped headstone carved from acacia wood by the Reformed. A grave marker was placed at the end of the grave as well. Both were painted black. For the Reformed, a weeping willow motif was carved on the headstone and the acronym ABFRA (“A boldog feltámadás reménye alatt” – Under the hope of a happy resurrection) was engraved.