The Absence of Funeral Rites as a Risk Factor for the French Bereaved Population.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, stringent measures were imposed in numerous countries, including France. These measures significantly disrupted societal practices, particularly mourning and funeral rituals. This study, conducted between June and September 2021 as part of the COVIDEUIL-France research, involved 242 participants, predominantly female (84%) with an average age of 49.64 years. The research aimed to investigate the consequences of the absence of funeral rituals and the adoption of personalized, domestic, and digital alternatives. Using online surveys and psychological tools, including the Traumatic Grief Inventory Self Report Version (TGI-SR), General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the study found a significant correlation between the lack of traditional practices and grief complications. Despite 21.81% of participants compensating with personal commemorations, digital commemorations were underutilized, raising questions about their effectiveness. The study provides crucial insights, emphasizing the need to address the psychological effects of disrupted mourning practices in France.

Natural Burial: An Exploratory Study of Attitudes and Practices Among Funeral Directors in the US.

The market for natural burial has increased for a variety of reasons including positions on environmental and sustainability issues, religious and spiritual considerations, and cost. While there is growing research on popular perceptions from potential consumers, very little is known about the industry actors, institutions, and structures that support natural burial practices. This study examines the knowledge, impressions, attitudes, and practices pertaining to natural burial among funeral directors through a multi-state, anonymous survey (n = 346). This study offers important contributions to the field of death studies, in that it helps to uncover funeral directors' perspectives, contributes to an understanding of the social aspects of natural burial, and sets the stage for additional research on this topic. Further, the project examines natural burial through a sociological lens, with consideration of the implications for professionals.

The Days After the Funeral: An Ethnolinguistic Analysis of Christian Post-Funeral Death Practices in Jish (Northern Israel).

This study is in ethnolinguistics, the interface between culture and linguistics. It provides an ethnography (detailed description) of post-funeral death practices among Maronite Christians in Jish, a small village in northern Israel. It also linguistically analyzes some concepts and cultural norms related to these practices and explicates (i.e., defines in simple, universal terms) them using the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) approach. At the micro-level, this study provides a precise description and analysis of post-funeral death practices in one community sharing the same linguaculture (i.e., the same ways of speaking and living). This precise description and analysis can, in turn, provide an opportunity for a precise comparison between these Jish death practices and their counterparts in other micro-communities. Additionally, this study provides cultural outsiders (those who are outside the culture) with insights into some aspects of the Jish linguaculture; thus it may be of interest to linguists and anthropologists.

The Prohibition of Suicide and Its Theological Rationale in Catholic Moral and Canonical Tradition: Origins and Development.

This paper analyzes the nuances of the Roman Catholic Church's opposition to suicide. First, we analyze biblical suicide cases, showing that these were not usually met with clear condemnation. Next, we show the development of the Roman Catholic Church's moral teachings, with special attention to Augustine. The canon law of the Middle Ages still made some distinctions regarding motivation, but at this point, Roman Catholic funerals started to be refused to those having committed suicide as discouragement to others. This was maintained by the Council of Trent. In the twentieth century, the Roman Catholic Church followed modern psychiatry in attributing suicide to mental illness, and the ban on Roman Catholic funerals was lifted. Currently, the Roman Catholic Church tries to discourage suicide while accompanying people in need.

Changing Funerals and Their Effects on Bereavement Grief in Japan.

Bereavement is an extremely personal feeling, but Japanese society tends to disapprove of displays of negative personal emotion or weakness. For ages, mourning rituals like funerals provided an exception where social permission was given to sharing grief and seeking support. However, the form and significance of Japanese funerals have changed rapidly over the past generation, and especially since the advent of COVID-19 restrictions on assembly and travel. This paper overviews the trajectory of changes and continuities in mourning rituals in Japan, looking at their psychological and social impacts. It goes on to summarize recent Japanese research showing that appropriate funerals are not merely of psychological and social benefit, but may have an important role in reducing or supporting grief that might otherwise require medical and social work intervention.

Articulations of 'Funeral' in Swedish Newspapers During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

This article explores how 'funeral' was articulated in Swedish newspapers during the Covid-19 pandemic and how such articulations relate to power and ideology. Articles from the six most prominent Swedish newspapers, published over 2 years, have been analyzed using critical discourse analysis and intersectionality. The study reveals three funeral discourses dominating during different periods of the pandemic: 'Funeral as a risk,' 'Funeral as an essential ritual,' and 'Funeral as a profession.' Altogether, the three discourses expose an ideal of 'the responsible mourner.' This rational woman follows the funeral restrictions and arranges a church funeral shortly after the death of a relative. The 'good funeral' is portrayed as a church funeral with physically present mourners, performed according to the deceased's will and in honor of the dead. The 'bad funeral,' described as the opposite of the 'good funeral,' dominates the understanding of the pandemic funeral situation.

Exploring the Use of Virtual Funerals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing limitations have had a profound impact on funeral practices and associated grieving processes. The purpose of the present scoping review is to summarize the existing literature on the emerging use of virtual funerals. Five medical databases, five social science databases, and five grey literature databases were searched, identifying 1,351 titles and abstracts, of which 62 met inclusion criteria. Four themes, each with various subthemes emerged: (a) Impact of virtual funerals on coping with death; (b) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the funeral industry; (c) Benefits and disadvantages of virtual funerals; and (d) Future implications for health and social work practitioners. Virtual funerals are an evolving resource for individuals, families, and communities to mourn in response to the interruptions to traditional grieving practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grief Rituals and Grief Reactions of Bereaved Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aim of this study was to examine the grief rituals and grief reactions of individuals who experienced the death of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study included 114 participants. The majority of participants (81.6%) stated that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the grieving process. The participants who stated that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the grieving process showed more physiological grief reactions. The implementation of grief rituals did not affect the grief reactions (p > .05). It is recommended to conduct studies with individual in-depth interviews in order to determine the effects of grief rituals on the grieving process in the COVID-19 pandemic.

No Kagyin, No Funerals Among the Dagaaba of North-West Ghana: Understanding the Symbolic and Ritual Aspects of the Uses of Crops.

Using symbolic interactionism theory, this paper examines the role of sorghum in funeral celebrations among the Dagaaba of North-west Ghana. Employing mixed methods, the objectives are to examine: (1) the main stages of Dagaaba funerals, and (2) the symbolic and ritual uses of kagyin for funerals. The results revealed that kagyin is the first crop item that is placed beside a deceased to portray his/her farming trade whilst alive. Similarly, the study established that kagyin is given to undertakers which is used for performing required ritual sacrifices. Furthermore, it emerged from the study that sorghum is used for brewing dagadaa for funeral guests.

Natural Organic Reduction as a Means of Body Disposition.

NOR (Natural Organic Reduction) is the four-to-six-week process of composting a human corpse into soil. While to the general public, NOR may sound like a biologically-sound, basic, holistic answer to the question of body disposition, death care industry professionals know it is not nearly that simple. With NOR recently legalized in New York, major problems will be brought forth in five categories including the following: (1) Disease control with regard to soil, water and air contamination, (2) Cost efficiency, (3) Soil retrieval issues, (4) Impossible accommodations during an epidemic or pandemic, and (5)Failure to Protect What Should Be Sacred Ground/Failure To Provide A Physical Memorial For Decedents. This article will explain the NOR process and address the five problematic issues this process brings forth.

Communist Funeral Reform in Central Europe (1948-1989): From Religious to Civil Funerals in Czechoslovakia and Hungary.

The authors examine funeral reform in the second half of the 20th century in Central and Eastern Europe via the historical comparative analysis approach. Examining the case studies of Czechoslovakia and Hungary, the article argues that although the newly-developed civil (socialist) funeral ceremonies in the two countries followed a similar pattern, in the Czech part of Czechoslovakia, civil funerals followed by cremation became the norm during the forty years of communist rule, whereas in Hungary they did not become the popularly accepted approach, in a similar way to the Slovak part of Czechoslovakia, where Roman Catholic funerals and inhumation remained dominant. The significant difference in the results of efforts toward reform was due principally to differing cultural histories, attitudes toward both religion and cremation and the availability of the infrastructure required for conducting civil funerals.

Victimization of the Dead: Exploring Burglars Use of Publicly Available Obituary Information to Perpetrate Their Crimes.

The present study uses primary data collected by the researchers on residential burglaries committed in the time-period of 1991-2021 to analyze the individual year frequency of obituary burglaries and patterns across time in relation to obituary burglaries. The goal is to assess the frequency of this form of burglary and the potential impact of increased web based publishing of obituaries on incidents of residential burglaries during funerary rites. Findings indicate that while this form of burglary is rare, it is a niche form of residential burglary committed by specialized burglars who utilize information available about funerals to specifically target the family of the deceased's home or the vacant home of the deceased. Recommendations for protecting against this form of victimization are provided.

How do Funeral Practices Impact Bereaved Relatives' Mental Health, Grief and Bereavement? A Mixed Methods Review with Implications for COVID-19.

Those who are bereaved during the current COVID-19 pandemic are subject to restrictions on funeral sizes and practices. We conducted a rapid review synthesising the quantitative and qualitative evidence regarding the effect of funeral practices on bereaved relatives' mental health and bereavement outcomes. Searches of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, KSR Evidence, and COVID-related resources were conducted. 805 records were screened; 17 studies of variable quality were included. Current evidence regarding the effect of funeral practices on bereaved relatives' mental health and bereavement outcomes is inconclusive. Five observational studies found benefits from funeral participation while six did not. However, qualitative research provides additional insight: the benefit of after-death rituals including funerals depends on the ability of the bereaved to shape those rituals and say goodbye in a way which is meaningful for them. Findings highlight the important role of funeral officiants during the pandemic. Research is needed to better understand the experiences and sequalae of grief and bereavement during COVID-19.

How Grief, Funerals, and Poverty Affect Bereaved Health, Productivity, and Medical Dependence in Japan.

Grief has been shown to weaken bereaved persons' health, but measurements of their lost time and medical expense remain rare. Funerals traditionally managed and assuaged grief through ritual expression, approval, and social support. Research suggests that satisfying funeral participation reduces grief, while poverty exacerbates it. We hypothesized that: (1) psycho-physical symptoms of grief, (2) abbreviation/dissatisfaction in the funeral, and (3) poverty, correlate with decreased productivity and increased medical and social services use. We collected data from 165 mourning families about their grief, funerals, and subsequent medical conditions. (1) Deeper grief after bereavement in Japan correlated with more physical problems, more down time, and more medical dependency. (2) Low satisfaction with funerals correlated with higher hospital, pharmacy, and counseling costs. (3) Low income families lost more time, while declining incomes showed increased pharmaceutical costs. This suggests that satisfying funerals and income safeguards may reduce costs of low productivity and increased public services dependency.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Funerals: Experiences of Participants in the 2020 Dying2Learn Massive Open Online Course.

A Massive-Open-Online-Course (MOOC) on death and dying (Dying2Learn) was offered in 2020, designed to build conversations about death as a natural part of life. In week 1, the content focused on how today's society engages with death through the language we use, humour, public mourning and funerals. This study investigated 2020 MOOC participants' responses to an online activity reflecting on funerals and memorials during the time of COVID-19. From this activity, n = 204 responses were analysed qualitatively. Themes included the positives and negatives of virtual funeral attendance (e.g. opportunity to have a way to participate when travel barriers existed, versus a sense of impersonal voyeurism); and the challenges related to the inability to physically comfort the bereaved due to physical distancing requirements. Comments made as part of this MOOC activity provide a unique insight into the community's experience of funeral changes necessitated by COVID-19, with important implications for the grieving process.

The Evolving Landscape: Funerals, Cemeteries, Memorialization, and Bereavement Support.

The aim of this study was to provide a better understanding of current memorialization practices and their influence on grief due to bereavement and to explore ways of improving bereavement outcomes. The qualitative research design incorporated two phases, a scoping literature review, followed by in-depth interviews with eight service providers from the funeral, cemetery, and crematorium industries across Australia. The trend toward informal memorialization practices blurs the roles of community members and formal industry service providers. A public health approach to bereavement support that encompasses both groups is recommended as the most appropriate response to the evolving landscape. This approach focuses on building partnerships between industry service providers and other community organizations involved in end-of-life issues. We propose that reframing the role of formal industry service providers as educators and facilitators partnered within compassionate communities will support improved outcomes for the bereaved.

Memorialization Practices Are Changing: An Industry Perspective on Improving Service Outcomes for the Bereaved.

Although considerable research efforts have focused on bereavement outcomes following loss, there are few studies which address the role of memorialization, particularly as it relates to formal service provision. Currently the funeral, cemetery, and crematorium industries are observing a steady decline in traditional and formal memorialization practices. This study aims to identify current memorialization practices and emerging trends, highlight key priorities for improving service outcomes for the bereaved, and understand the implications of changing consumer preferences for service provision. The study's qualitative research design incorporates two phases, a scoping literature review followed by in-depth interviews with eight service providers from the funeral, cemetery, and crematorium industries. A key finding is that the trend toward contemporary and informal memorialization practices blurs the lines between the role of consumers and service providers. There is a clear opportunity for service providers to engage in community education as a means of building supportive relationships with and improving service outcomes for the bereaved.

The Musical Eulogy and Other Functions of Funeral Music.

This article examines the function of music during contemporary funerals in the Netherlands. Using a performance-based approach, this article shows that music adds to the ritual dimension of contemporary funerals, by relating the music to the funeral itself, the deceased person's identity, and to emotions. Zooming in on the music that in contemporary personalized funerals is selected because it is-one way or another-related to the deceased, it will be shown that the lyrical content of this music is less important than social and emotional aspects. Theoretically, the concept of the musical eulogy is introduced as a hermeneutic tool to examine music in ritualized contexts.

How Funerals Accomplish Family: Findings From a Mass-Observation Study.

The article analyses how potentially conflicting frames of grief and family operate in a number of English funerals. The data come from the 2010 Mass-Observation directive "Going to Funerals" which asked its panel of correspondents to write about the most recent funeral they had attended. In their writings, grief is displayed through conventional understandings of family. Drawing on Randall Collins, we show how the funeral stratifies mourners into family or nonfamily, a stratification accomplished-by family and nonfamily-through both outward display and inner feeling. The funerals described were more about a very traditional notion of family than about grief; family trumped grief, or at least provided the frame through which grief could be written about; and perceptions of "family" prompted emotions which in turn defined family. The funerals were portrayed as a distinct arena privileging family over the fluid and varied personal attachments highlighted in both the new sociology of personal life and in the concept of disenfranchised grief.

[A ethical approach of funerals in pandemic]. / Pour une éthique des funérailles en situation de pandémie.

The sanitary risk prevention associated with the body overtakes nearly all other considerations. The organisation of funerals isn't actually managed by the authorities, and left to the will of funeral officers. How acceptable is this during a pandemic with elevated risks and a hightened awareness of death - not only of people, but also of a society at fault? An ethical approach is the only way to raise to the challenge of organising funerals more responsibly.