6. Burials
Throughout the Middle Ages until the beginning of the 20th century, members of guilds, craft associations, were best equipped to perform funerals. Guilds had an important social and charity role. Most guilds provided a dignified funeral for all their members and their close family members.
In Ptuj, the shoemakers' guild had all the necessary equipment for funeral ceremonies – a cross, shroud, candles and poles. The guild accompanied all its members and their immediate family on their last paths. During his one-year term, the guild master was responsible for the funeral equipment. The guild paid for the members’ funeral ceremonies, while the equipment could also be rented to others for a fee.
