Crete tourist guide

Cretan cemeteries and the posthumous relocation of the dead

2025-11-01 19:29:55

To better understand a country, you need to learn about local customs, and these are easiest to discover by peeking into kitchens and... cemeteries. While no one needs to be persuaded to look into pots, most people feel hesitant about visiting cemeteries. We understand this, as viewing tombstones isn't a typical vacation activity. Nevertheless, it's worth it, as Greek cemeteries are completely different from the vast Polish necropolises. The customs surrounding burial are also different. For those who haven't experienced them before, these customs may seem quite peculiar, even shocking.

The photos in the article below are from the Cretan cemeteries in the villages of Anidri and Selia.

Selia Cemetery

Cretan cemeteries are small, and village cemeteries can be quite small. They consist of just a dozen or so tombstones, a modest chapel, and often a beautiful view of the surrounding area. The tombstones are usually made of white marble, adorned with a daily photograph of the deceased and an oil lamp that must be kept burning. It's common for a tombstone to be decorated with a motif that reflects the deceased's occupation during life.

Selia Cemetery

Anyone who looks at a Cretan cemetery may wonder: how is it possible that it contains all the deceased inhabitants of the villages…

And here comes the explanation, along with local traditions. For those outside of Greek culture, this may seem surprising, but it's important to remember that everything is dictated by the limited space available and the specific nature of the land. Because Greece has such diverse geographic locations, these customs may also differ slightly from place to place.

Anidri

Selia

Selia

Let's start with the fact that a funeral generally takes place very quickly after death. The ceremony usually takes place the next day, and the coffin is placed in the family tomb. After burial, the deceased person remains in the grave for only a few years. It's worth noting that this "service" is usually paid for, and depending on the region, a year of the deceased's "stay" in the tomb can cost up to five hundred euros. Several years after burial, the remains are exhumed from the grave, the bones are washed by close family members, and then the remains are placed in a small box.

How long does it take before this mandatory "move"? It depends on the cemetery's location. On average, it takes 3 to 5 years, in exceptional cases after 7 years. In cities, this time is shorter, as the waiting list for a cemetery space is longer. It is possible to leave the deceased in the grave longer, but as time passes, this option becomes increasingly expensive for the family.

Anidri Cemetery

The bone boxes are labeled and often include a photo of the person whose remains lie within. Finally, the box containing the remains is usually placed in an ostofilakio, a special crypt located in the cemetery. And the empty tomb can then be filled by another deceased person.

Anidri

Lampka oliwna

Selia

Gosia,  2025-11-01 19:29:55

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2025-11-01 20:15:46

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Alexandros Pliatsikas det var det här vi pratade om

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