The Passing of Baron Artur Cerari: Inside Moldova’s Unique Roma Funeral Traditions

Artur Cerari, the prominent leader and “Baron” of the Roma community in the Republic of Moldova, has passed away at the age of 66. According to family members, Cerari suffered a sudden heart attack following long-standing health issues.

Known as a key mediator and the public face of the famous “Gypsy Hill” (Dealul Țiganilor) in the northern city of Soroca, Cerari inherited his leadership role from his father, Mircea Cerari. His death marks the end of an era for one of the most culturally distinct communities in Eastern Europe—a destination that has long attracted international tourists and cultural researchers.

To honor his memory and legacy, the Union of Roma Youth in Moldova has already proposed naming a street in Soroca after him.

The Funeral Rituals: A Two-Week Logistics and Cultural Process

For international observers, Romani funerals are complex cultural events that blend strict Orthodox Christian theology with distinct, traditional community protocols. Unlike standard Western funerals, the farewell process for a high-ranking Roma leader is an extended, large-scale event requiring meticulous planning.

The Extended Mourning Period (Priveghi)

The burial is expected to take place at least a week or more after his passing. Family members explained that this prolonged timeframe is legally and logistically necessary. “We have many relatives who are not in the Republic of Moldova, and right now it is very difficult to travel from abroad, especially from the CIS countries, Russia, Europe, and Ukraine,” a family representative noted. “Until people manage to arrive, it takes time. Furthermore, building the Baron’s vault takes at least a week. We have a lot of work to do.”

Daily Feasts and the Welcoming Ceremony

Throughout this extended wake, the family operates on a policy of open hospitality, hosting daily memorial feasts. According to his daughter, Ana Cerari, the household prepares traditional Romani cabbage rolls (sarmale țigănești), local baked goods, and other specific dishes that her father preferred, ensuring a constant supply of food for hundreds of rotating guests.

The reception at the Soroca residence follows strict social etiquette. Guests arriving to pay their final respects are traditionally welcomed with a green carpet laid across the courtyard, flanked by two horses, symbols of high status, freedom, and prestige in Romani lore. A large guest table is kept fully prepared at all times. Among the international dignitaries who have already arrived is the President of the Federal National-Cultural Autonomy of Roma in Russia, who traveled to Soroca to deliver condolences for what he described as “the loss of a great man.”

Burial Customs and the Green Marble Vault

The physical and material preparations for Baron Cerari’s burial highlight the community’s profound customs regarding status, legacy, and the afterlife.

Post-Mortem Display and Attire

Currently, the Baron’s body rests in his private room, placed alongside his personal collection of porcelain figurines. For the eventual burial, his family custom-ordered a specific wardrobe from Italy.

“Dad always dressed in his favorite color, dark blue, with a golden shirt, because he never wore white shirts,” Ana Cerari explained for ProTV television. “We ordered the suit from Italy exactly as he preferred it, and the shoes as well.”

The Architecture of the Family Vault

Construction has urgently begun on a massive, permanent burial vault at the Soroca cemetery. Baron Cerari will be interred alongside his immediate family, including his father, Mircea Cerari, his mother, and his late wife.

The interior design of the tomb reflects explicit personal requests. “The vault will be made of marble and granite on the outside, just as he wished,” stated Robert Cerari, the Baron’s grandson and President of the Romani Socio-Political Movement in Moldova. “On the interior, it will be lined with very beautiful green marble. The Baron wanted it to be green. We are making it to his liking, praying that God receives him into His kingdom.”

The Core Religious Ceremony

Despite the grandeur and unique community customs, the family explicitly clarifies that the core funeral remains strictly Christian Orthodox. Local priests will perform standard home liturgies and read the scriptures. The procession will then move toward the local Orthodox church on Soroca Hill, where the formal Christian burial rites will be officially finalized.

Selecting the Next Baron: A Meticulous Process

The title of Roma Baron in Moldova is not automatically passed down through a simple bloodline inheritance. Following the completion of the burial and the immediate mourning period, a highly formal, traditional selection procedure will begin to determine the next community leader.

This process involves extensive institutional consultations. The Cerari family will meet with regional Roma elders from within the Republic of Moldova, alongside high-ranking Romani representatives traveling from other countries.

Because the role involves acting as a legal and social bridge between the minority population and local government authorities—as well as mediating complex internal disputes—the selection criteria are rigid. The designated successor cannot simply be wealthy; they must possess an unblemished public reputation, proven diplomatic wisdom, and deep respect across the regional communities.