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The Ars Moriendi was a 15th century manual for death and dying, collecting Western Christian beliefs about death. It was important during the Black Death when priests were in short supply. The book provided guidance on behavior, prayers, and reflections for a good death. It is still of historical interest and could be useful in modern societies with unclear etiquette surrounding death.
The Ars Moriendi or “Art of Dying” was a 15th century book that was essentially a manual for death and dying. He collected Western Christian beliefs about death in one volume, initially published in Latin and later translated into many European languages. The first edition of the Ars Moriendi, known as the long version, came out in 15; in 1415 a shorter version with woodcut illustrations came out, as a kind of quick reference.
While the concept of a manual for death and dying might seem strange to some modern people, the Ars Moriendi was actually very important and highly regarded by medieval Christians. The publication of this book was born in response to the Black Death, which swept through Europe and did not spare the clergy. Traditionally, the priest had the duty to instruct the dying, but as priests were in short supply, Christians struggled to have a good death, and the Ars Moriendi was a substitute for a priest in regions where priests could not all the dying.
The long version of the Ars Moriendi included a brief contemplation of death itself, suggesting that death was not necessarily a bad thing, or even something to be feared. He also listed the temptations facing the dying man and how to avoid them, as well as giving instructions for appropriate behavior among friends and family of the dying man. The book also contained a section of prayers for the dead, along with reflections on Christ and redemption, and a series of questions to ask people on their deathbeds; these questions are intended to solicit further reflections.
For medieval Christians, death was a very important event and they wanted to make sure they had a good death, guaranteeing a quick trip to heaven. The Ars Mordiendi has provided a framework to follow, offering guidance, hope and contemplation to people grappling with fear of the unknown. The book also provided an honest look at the fact of death, something people in the Middle Ages faced constantly thanks to the Black Death and other epidemics.
Several facsimile copies of the Ars Moriendi can be found in circulation today, many as objects of historical interest, rather than manuals to be taken seriously by dying moderns. However, some people have suggested that a modern form of the Ars Moriendi could potentially be very useful, especially in societies where etiquette and rules surrounding death, dying, and mourning have become hazy.
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