Obrazy eschatologiczne w ludowych pieśniach pogrzebowych w Opoczyńskiem
Eschatological images in folk funeral songs in the Opoczno region

Summary/Abstract: The article was based on the ethnographic field research on funeral rites in the Opoczno Region conducted by the author, and the literature of the subject. The elaboration presents visions of heaven, purgatory and hell described in funeral songs. Songs do not only depict the state of a soul in heaven (joy and eternal happiness with God), but they also present soul’s vision in purgatory (a period of purification and preparation for entering heaven accompanied by suffering), and in hell (a place of despair, sadness and condemnation for eternity, freely chosen by a soul not wanting to convert and ask God for mercy). Singing funerary songs at funeral ceremonies were meant not only to accompany the deceased “on the final path of life” and escort him or her to “the other world”, but they also became an opportunity for the participants to reflect on their own death and possibly correct their own actions to avoid eternal damnation.

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