I visited Burgas a few weeks ago and found the concept of necrologs pretty interesting. Here is a post about them…it was a bit difficult to find info online about the necrologs, which was interesting for how omnipresent they are.
Normally they are posted at 40 days after the passing, then 6 months, one year, then annually.
It’s common for the family to make an annual visit to the graveside, particularly if they live away from the village, the necrologs are updated then.
Also associated with the necrolog, normally on the garden gate, is a black cloth bow. This signifies the household is still in mourning. If you visit, never say “cheers” наздраве, or ‘good health’ when you are inevitably offered a warming glass of Rakia.
Good read but I kind of think the last few paragraphs were a bit…much. I wouldn’t expect there to be a designated person in charge of putting up the necrologs and removing them. It removes the familial element of the “ritual” and kind of puts the role closer to that of a “municipal cleaning personnel”.
4 comments
I visited Burgas a few weeks ago and found the concept of necrologs pretty interesting. Here is a post about them…it was a bit difficult to find info online about the necrologs, which was interesting for how omnipresent they are.
https://www.foreigner.bg/bulgarian-necrolog-the-tradition-to-preserve-someones-memory/
here’s an article on them
Normally they are posted at 40 days after the passing, then 6 months, one year, then annually.
It’s common for the family to make an annual visit to the graveside, particularly if they live away from the village, the necrologs are updated then.
Also associated with the necrolog, normally on the garden gate, is a black cloth bow. This signifies the household is still in mourning. If you visit, never say “cheers” наздраве, or ‘good health’ when you are inevitably offered a warming glass of Rakia.
Good read but I kind of think the last few paragraphs were a bit…much. I wouldn’t expect there to be a designated person in charge of putting up the necrologs and removing them. It removes the familial element of the “ritual” and kind of puts the role closer to that of a “municipal cleaning personnel”.