Talking About Death Remains a Social Taboo, Survey Finds

Death and burial remain among the strongest social taboos in Hungary, found a nationwide representative survey by the Equilibrium Institute on Hungarians’ habits, attitudes, and fears. 

The survey, titled Taboos and Changing Customs Around Death, was commissioned by the National Funeral Society and Guild (OTEI). The press release stated that talking about death is still a taboo topic in Hungary. Many people avoid the subject, even though it affects almost everyone in some way. This silence makes funeral preparations, advance planning, and learning about new burial options particularly difficult.

The research shows that nearly one-fifth (21%) of adults live in families where death is never discussed, and 8% explicitly consider it a taboo topic.

Half of Hungarians would not feel uncomfortable if the issue came up; only 5% talk about it regularly.

Silence is stronger among younger generations: 42% of those aged 18–29 avoid the subject, while 67% of people over 70 can speak about it without difficulty. Education level also plays a role—those with higher education handle the topic more openly.

The study notes that visiting cemeteries is a widespread custom: most people (56%) go a few times a year—mainly on All Saints’ Day—while one in three (31%) regularly tends graves. However, 12% of respondents never visit cemeteries; in Budapest, this figure rises to 22%. Almost the entire society considers the condition of cemeteries important: 50% regard it as “very important,” 43% as “important,” and only 1% see it as insignificant.

The findings reveal that although 53% of the population have heard about the option of funeral pre-savings, only 5% have such an agreement. Among those aged 60–69, the share is 9%, and among people over 70, it is 12%. Nearly 70% of society have no savings set aside for their own funeral, the report said.

The responses show that 63% of Hungarians consider it important that deceased loved ones be farewelled through a funeral ceremony.

Women and residents of eastern Hungary are more likely to insist on holding a funeral. For the older generation and the middle class, traditional ceremonies remain important, while younger people tend to be more open to alternative forms.

For 80% of respondents, the most important aspect is that the deceased be buried in the way they wished. Similarly important is that the farewell focuses on the deceased (77%), as well as smooth organization and practical solutions. A church service now matters to only 34% of Hungarians, while 41% say it is not a key consideration.

The survey found that 31% of respondents support keeping ashes at home, while 42% explicitly reject the idea. Scattering ashes in nature is acceptable to 37%, though 25% find it entirely alien. Acceptance is higher among younger generations, while older people tend to adhere to traditional forms, the report noted.

Based on the survey, OTEI concluded that Hungarian society’s relationship with death and burial is both tradition-preserving and changing, with silence and taboo still strongly present.

Funeral industry organizations also aim to draw attention to the fact that open discussion about death and farewell not only breaks taboos but also helps those who are grieving.

The nationwide representative survey was carried out in April and May with 1,000 adults completing an online questionnaire.

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Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert

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