For three days, the cemeteries will be a place of memories. All Saints’ Day still brings the community together around the deceased. A new profession is developing, that of taking care of graves.
Somewhat overshadowed by the more entertaining “Halloween”, All Saints' Day nevertheless remains a strong moment for the community. Inherited from a long Christian tradition since the 4the century, this festival, in the heart of autumn, established the cult of the dead practiced by many archaic societies. For three days, the cemeteries will be a place of contemplation where religious practice has evolved. From common, this religious festival has become more individual.
“For me, it’s still bringing them to life”
For practical reasons, families today call on professionals to maintain the graves. The profession of “grave cleaner” has developed today. Sophie Fettig made it her second professional activity. This 40-year-old Bragarde works at Bois-l’abbess. And since February, she has launched her activity, “The Angel Fairy”, offering her grave maintenance services. It was a loss in his own family that was the trigger. “The grandmother was ill and could not go to the cemetery”she explains. Since then, she has maintained around two graves per week within a 20 kilometer radius around Saint-Dizier.. “I talk to them, I say hello to them”she smiled, “but it’s work, you have to bring water, it can take several days, to clean a monument for example.”
An unusual profession but one that has more to do with the living than the dead. “For me, it’s still bringing them to life, there is a link with the living,” resumes Sophie Fettig. A believer, she would also like to be taken care of later for herself.
Sometimes it is people who have moved and are no longer able to come to the cemetery who call on its services. “There are also people who are very sad at the idea of coming to a cemetery or sick people,” she continues. Having invested in equipment, she would like to make it her main activity. He also came up with the idea of asking the municipality to make All Saints’ Day a moment “more alive”. “Why not decorate the cemeteries?”she asks.
Rewarding job
Aged 45, Sabrina Humbert, resident of Éclaron, also recently launched her
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Complete article to be found in our edition of November 1, 2024 or on our online store!
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