Comportamientos funerarios en Euskal Herria al inicio del siglo XX

Abstract

In 1901, the Ateneo of Madrid conducted a survey on customs related to birth, marriage and death. The survey was carried out in 300 places in the Spanish State. The study analises the results obtained in Alava, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa and Navarra (23 populations or valleys) regarding customs related to death. The results are compared with historical data on traditional burial practices, precisely at a time when traditional habits had either disappeared or were on verge of disappearing. Using the data analised in this study the last expressions of a specific mental attitude can be investigated, that represented by shrouding, funeral wakes, funeral feasts, ghosts, etc