Miguel Mañara
was a member of the Brotherhood of Charity (La Santa Caridad), ca. 1672, a Roman Catholic fraternity dedicated to serving
the poor and sick. The Seville aristocrat started a hospital with his religious fraternity and eventually directed the attention
of the group to caring for the dead in Spain, inspired by the savagery of executed persons hanging and decomposing in public
view without proper burial.
Creating a Mañara Society within your congregation is much like establishing a bereavement group.
The purpose of this society is for its members to assist families with funeral plans, transportation, and preparing and cleaning
of deceased congregants and community members, when appropriate. Members of the Mañara society can be an advocate
for families and aid in maintaining the rights of the bereaved, offer spiritual and dignified practices to families, coordinate
meals, arrange rituals, and assist with any and all duties that are a part of deathcare. Members of the Mañara
Society minister to families and the deceased as a spiritual act to their community, alleviating many of the burdens some
families may experience emotionally, physically, and financially during the time of a death. Some other tasks may include
calling people who signed up to prepare food for the family on the night before it is their assigned day, if this is not already
a responsibility of the congregation's bereavement group. Other tasks include emotionally supporting the family during
deathcare and assisting illiterate, elderly and other persons with completing the proper legal documents so that their vulnerability
is not exploited, financially or emotionally. Having a Mañara Society within your congregation is an opportunity
for diversely talented people to compassionately care for community members, offer alternative and spiritual choices, and
assist those who have difficulties caring for their dead.
For more information on
creating a Mañara Society within your congregation and/or creating collaborations
with local funeral homes, please contact the Institute or click on the materials below:
