Zwiastuni śmierci, żałobnicy i ostatni towarzysze podróży

The subject of the article is a scientific reflection on the behaviours of domestic animals in the face of human death. Using the rich folkloristic and ethnographic material, the author has distinguished three types of roles in which – in folk beliefs – animals are incarnated: (a) death harbingers, (b) mourners, feeling sad and regret after losing a loved one, (c) the last travelling companions. The analysis proved that the roles played by animals in the face of the death of a loved one implement the principle of „solidarity with life” – a key principle of traditional peasant culture, the basis of life and a keystone of existence in the group.