In some parts of Switzerland there is a rather unusual custom known as funeral cards. But like many others, this religious practice is disappearing. The interest in these cards now lies more with genealogists, for whom they are a mine of information. In a few parts of Switzerland, the tradition of funeral cards, also known as souvenir pictures, remains strong. These small cardboard cards usually feature a photograph of the deceased, a few biographical details and a quotation from the Bible. Some also include a pious image or a prayer, extending the spiritual dimension of the remembrance. These cards are traditionally distributed at the funeral, or at a later date, along with a letter of thanks for the condolences received or an invitation to the 30th Mass, a Catholic celebration that takes place one month after the bereavement. They primarily fulfil a religious function, inviting us to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased, but above all they have a memorial function ...
