(photograph © Kiwidutch)
When someone passes away in the Netherlands it is customary to post out a special card to the deceased’s friends and relatives by their family, announcing the persons passing, plus the time, date and location of viewing ceremonies and any other essential information needed for attending the funeral.
What might be less obvious to an outsider is that there is a special stamp that is only used for the sending of this post, and that the envelope is also specifically and uniquely marked.
This is an indication to the post office that this post needs to get priority so that people can have enough time to make arrangements to attend a funeral.
Whilst a few newspapers carry Obituaries, and most carry In Memoriam notices, it is not usual here for people to find out about a death via a newspaper, instead, this envelope in the post is the usual method.
So.. this is a photo of the stamp used to designate an announcement of someones passing. Note that on this envelope there is a very thin line around the inside, this is also only found on obituary envelope announcements, and the colour will vary, grey, black, dark blue being the most common, and the thickness of the line can range from being very thin as on this envelope, to a substantial 5mm solid border all the way around the envelope.
Yes, I have just received this in the post, the extended family member was past 90 years of age and in such a state of physical and mental health that death was more of a release than a snatching away of life.
Himself and I will be paying our respects this week and offering our support and deepest condolences…
