Station: [27] Death and faith

“Grave gifts have been associated with vastly different cultures in the history of humanity. The dead are also given selected pieces as grave gifts by their loved ones in Horst in the 16th century – such as this rosary as a sign of deep devoutness. Faith in resurrection on judgement day, when people will have to be held accountable by their maker, is still unbroken. Clerical terminal care and a church burial in hallowed ground are indispensable – even the little castle chapel in Horst has a small cemetery that was used for a period of over 500 years. Some deceased are even buried with devotional figures, possibly of Saint Barbara. She will later become known as the patron saint of miners – at this point in time she offers comfort and hope in the role as patron saint of the hour of death.”