The Gravediggers: Attempt to an Anthropological Approach based on own Experiences
This essay gives record of the author`s memories and direct experiences with gravediggers. In the first part he describes the memories of his childhood relationship with his grandfather who was a gravedigger during WWII and that of a neighbour who occasionally but regularly worked as gravedigger. Then, he presents the ministry of gravedigger, as provided in the rural area of his origin, as well as currently in some parts of Romania, Germany, Switzerland and the United States of America and analyze their behaviour in relationship with the mournful family as well as with their professionalism. It also contains a short chapter on the funeral ministry in the Early Church.
Keywords: gravediggers; anthropology; community life; profession; half-professionalization; death; cemeteries.
