Family papers: Overlijdenskaartje

When someone dies, family and friends have to be informed of the death and upcoming funeral. The custom in Holland is to do that with a card (called overlijdenskaartje, decease card) and usually an advertisement in the local newspaper.

The card above was sent when my 2nd great grandmother, Attje Bansema (1851-1923), passed away. Note the use of her maiden name on the card: Women keep their own name after marriage, even though they often use their husbands' surname.

The format of cards like this are more or less fixed: The first paragraphs announce the death of the deceased, then follows a list of close relatives, and the card ends with the funeral arrangements:

Heden overleed, na eene korte ongesteldheid, onze lieve Moeder, Behuwd- en Grootmoeder	Today passed away, after a short illness, our dear mother, mother in law, and grandmother
Attje Bansema	Attje Bansema
in den ouderdom van bijna 72 jaren. Sedert 1918 weduwe van J. Melessen Mzn.	at the age of almost 72 years. Since 1918 widow of J. Melessen Mzn [son of M].
[..]	[..]
De teraardebestelling zal plaats hebben op de Noorder begraafplaats Zaterdag a.s. Vertrek sterfhuis 10½ uur.	The interment will take place on the Noorder begraafplaats [name of the cemetery] next Saturday. Departure from the morgue at 10:30.

File: Attje Bansema