Attila Bethlenfalvy stands out in a crowd of funeral directors. With his gauged ears, shaven head and bushy, peppered beard, Bethlenfalvy doesn’t look the part, and he’s not a funeral director, though he arguably knows more about funerary antiques and ephemera than any person alive. His collection of funeral memorabilia is certainly one of the largest in the world.
Bethlenfalvy has parlayed his love of all things funerary into a massive following on his Facebook page – Funetorium. But Bethlenfalvy shies from the spotlight, never appearing on Funetorium.
“It’s not about me,” he explained. “It’s about the historical significance of the object.”
Bethlenfalvy’s interest in funeral service began as a boy with the book “American Funeral Cars & Ambulances Since 1900” by Thomas McPherson. The adolescent was riveted by the stately professional cars on the glossy pages.
“I had every single vehicle memorized by the time I was 12,” Bethlenfalvy recalled.
He checked the book out so many times, the librarian at the Cleveland public library told him he couldn’t check it out anymore.
“She said it was inappropriate,” he explained. “Instead, she gave me this book on ‘70s shag wagons. Talk about inappropriate.”
Ever the collector, he added, “I’ve tried to get my hands on that book [about shag wagons] but I have yet to locate a copy.”
The remainder of this article is reserved for subscribers only
In addition to receiving all of our quarterly magazines by mail, subscribers to Southern Calls have exclusive access to additional online articles, as well as ability to read all Southern Calls magazine articles as they come available.
Get your One Year or Two Year subscription today, or login here to continue viewing the rest of the article.
Order this issue
Southern Calls Issue 31
In stock
Articles Relating to Issue 31
Author-Undertaker | Todd Harra
“It’s such an honor to be able to walk with people during their time of need,” said Todd Harra, vice president of McCrery & Harra Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington, Delaware. “But I never pictured myself doing this.” Harra has deep roots in the profession,…
Thomas Lynch | Bringing the Living & the Dead Closer
Thomas Lynch is a man who needs no introduction. He’s well known—even famous, though he’d certainly argue that—in undertaking, poetic, and literary circles. Lynch won the American Book Award in 1998 for his breakout collection of essays, The Undertaking: Life Studies…
Issue 31 Available Now
This is such an incredible issue! Join us as we celebrate The Profession with three amazing People, Places and Passions articles, told by our award-winning writers and brought to life with exceptional photography – you’ll read it cover to cover, again, and again!…
