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The priest warned of an unusual practice he sees increasingly common at funerals: 'Let the people...'
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive8/30/2026

The priest warned of an unusual practice he sees increasingly common at funerals: 'Let the people...'

The article discusses a concern raised by Father Stjepan Ivan Horvat, a Croatian priest, regarding inappropriate behavior observed at funerals. He notes that people often engage in casual conversations about everyday topics like food, politics, sports, and prices during these solemn occasions, which he believes disrupts the dignity and gravity of the event. Horvat provides specific examples, such as discussions about making ajvar, Putin’s lookalikes, and price changes at a resort, contrasting these with moments where family members are grieving. He calls for respect, silence, and emotional presence during funerals, emphasizing that there is time for conversation later but not during this sacred moment.

A Croatian priest has expressed deep concern over the growing trend of casual conversation during funerals, describing it as disrespectful and inappropriate. Father Stjepan Ivan Horvat, a local cleric, criticized how attendees often engage in mundane discussions while mourning families grieve. His concerns were shared publicly on social media, where he called for greater respect and silence during such solemn occasions. Father Horvat’s post highlighted specific examples of conversations he has witnessed at funerals, including discussions about the preparation of ajvar, political figures like Vladimir Putin's alleged lookalikes, the design of a product by Marko Livaja, pricing at a hospital on Brač, and changes to a supermarket app. He emphasized that these topics are irrelevant during moments of grief and suggested they could distract individuals who are emotionally vulnerable. “Dok vi pričate o tome je li 2 ili 3 % soli u ajvar, netko pored vas zauvijek se oprašta od svog oca,” he wrote, illustrating how everyday chatter can overshadow the emotional weight of loss. The priest urged people to show compassion and to observe silence during funerals, arguing that such moments require more than just attendance, they demand heartfelt remembrance. “Zato budimo ljudi,” he wrote, calling for empathy and mindfulness among mourners. His message was directed toward the broader public, urging them to reflect on their behavior and consider the impact of their words during times of sorrow. According to reports, this issue has become increasingly common in Croatia, with many funeral attendees engaging in light-hearted or even controversial discussions. The priest noted that these interactions often occur alongside moments of profound grief, creating a dissonance between the somber atmosphere and the casual tone of the conversations. This phenomenon seems to have gained traction in recent years, possibly influenced by changing societal norms and the increasing role of digital communication in daily life. Father Horvat’s comments were not isolated. Other sources have echoed similar concerns, noting that the practice of discussing non-emotional matters during funerals is becoming more widespread. Some observers suggest that this shift reflects a broader cultural evolution, where traditional rituals are being replaced by more informal gatherings. Others argue that such behavior undermines the purpose of a funeral, which is meant to honor the deceased and provide comfort to the bereaved. In response to the priest’s criticism, some community members have acknowledged the issue, though opinions remain divided. While some agree that funerals should be respectful spaces, others believe that open dialogue is necessary to process emotions and share memories. There is currently no formal policy addressing this matter, leaving it largely to personal discretion and cultural expectations. Looking ahead, it remains unclear whether there will be a concerted effort to address this growing trend. However, Father Horvat’s public appeal has sparked renewed discussion about the importance of maintaining dignity and reverence during mourning ceremonies. As the debate continues, one thing is certain, his call for reflection and sensitivity resonates with many who value the sanctity of such moments.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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3 reports

Net.hr logoNet.hrIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 708/30/2026
Priest horrified by funeral scenes: 'While the family mourns, you talk about Mark Levi and politics'

A Croatian priest, Stjepan Ivan Horvat, expressed concern on social media about the increasing politicization and casual conversation during funeral processions. He criticized attendees for discussing topics like politics, food prices, sports, and other trivial matters rather than showing respect for the deceased and their family. The priest emphasized that funerals are solemn occasions meant for reflection and honoring the departed, urging people to focus on empathy and silence instead of distractions. His message highlights the emotional weight of such moments and calls for greater reverence.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the priest's concerns neutrally, focusing on his call for respectful behavior at funerals rather than taking a stance on specific political issues. It does not favor any side in the discussion about political discourse at such events.

Why factuality (85): The article accurately summarizes Father Horvat's concerns as reported in his social media post. It matches the other articles in describing the same events and quotes similar statements, supporting its factual reliability.

Why objectivity (70): While the article conveys the father's concern, it uses emotive language such as 'zgrožen prizorima' which may influence reader perception. The focus is on the negative behavior without offering alternative viewpoints.

tportal logotportalIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 708/30/2026
Priest appalled by funeral customs: 'While the family mourns, people talk about Levi's form'

A Croatian priest, Stjepan Ivan Horvat, criticized the increasingly common behavior at funerals where mourners discuss everyday topics like politics, sports, prices, and local issues instead of showing respect and silence. He expressed concern that during moments of mourning, people engage in casual conversations about mundane matters, which he believes detracts from the solemnity of the occasion. The priest called on attendees to show empathy and reverence, emphasizing that there is time for discussions later, but funerals require heartfelt reflection. His message was shared widely on social media, highlighting a growing cultural shift in funeral customs.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a critique of societal behavior at funerals, touching on political topics such as 'Putinovim dvojnicima' (Putin's twins) and 'formi Livaje' (Livaja's form), which could be interpreted as politically sensitive. However, the priest’s main message is a call for respectful behavior,

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the content of Father Stjepan Ivan Horvat's Facebook post, including his criticism of people discussing everyday topics during funerals. It reflects the cross-source consensus among other articles that describe the same incident. No primary source was available, but th

Why objectivity (70): The tone is somewhat critical and emotionally charged, using phrases like 'neprimjereno ponašanje' which implies judgment. The article frames the issue as a moral failing rather than presenting multiple perspectives.

Večernji list logoVečernji listIndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 658/30/2026
The priest warned of an unusual practice he sees increasingly common at funerals: 'Let the people...'

The article discusses a concern raised by Father Stjepan Ivan Horvat, a Croatian priest, regarding inappropriate behavior observed at funerals. He notes that people often engage in casual conversations about everyday topics like food, politics, sports, and prices during these solemn occasions, which he believes disrupts the dignity and gravity of the event. Horvat provides specific examples, such as discussions about making ajvar, Putin’s lookalikes, and price changes at a resort, contrasting these with moments where family members are grieving. He calls for respect, silence, and emotional presence during funerals, emphasizing that there is time for conversation later but not during this sacred moment.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a societal problem rooted in superficiality and distraction, particularly highlighting political and cultural references (e.g., Putin’s lookalikes, price changes). The tone suggests criticism of modern social norms and a call for more respectful behavior, aligning ide

Why factuality (85): This article closely mirrors the content of the first article, reporting the same facts from Father Horvat’s Facebook post. It aligns with the cross-source consensus and does not introduce new information or contradictions.

Why objectivity (65): The language has a strong moralistic tone, especially with phrases like 'NEPRIMJERENO PONAŠANJE', which suggests a biased perspective. The article presents the issue as a clear wrongdoing without balancing viewpoints.

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