What role did a crier serve during the Middle Ages in relation to funerals?

In the Middle Ages, the role of a crier during funerals was primarily to announce the name of the deceased and to call upon the community for prayers on their behalf. This practice highlighted the social and communal aspects of mourning, emphasizing the importance of collective remembrance and intercession for the soul of the deceased. The crier served as a voice for the community, ensuring that everyone was informed and able to participate in the act of mourning and prayer.

In contrast, conducting the burial service, leading the funeral procession, and preparing the body for burial are roles that were typically filled by clergy or familial members, emphasizing their significance in the actual rites and rituals associated with funerals rather than the announcement and public acknowledgment of the death itself.