Funerals in Belgium: the hidden complexity of contemporary practices
(2000) Mortality : promoting the interdisciplinary study of death and dying — Vol. 5, n° 1, p. 18-33 (2000)
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- Abstract
- This paper examines the way funerals are evolving in Belgium today. Drawing on non-directive interviews, ethnographic observations and survey analysis, it presents a detailed analysis of cremation and related practices. It shows that when put in the context of the general symbolic system by which individuals give meaning to their life, contemporary funerary practices appear to be much more complex and meaningful than is usually imagined. In contrast to the pessimistic view that is still frequently adopted among researchers entertaining a nostalgic - and mostly imaginary - view of the past, the hypothesis developed in this article is that these new funerary practices contain as many symbols and rituals as before, but that these are found elsewhere. Characterized by new forms and new meanings, the ceremonies of today do not necessarily appear in the same way and in the same places as before. But this does not mean that funeral rituals have disappeared.
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Vandendorpe, F. (2000). Funerals in Belgium: the hidden complexity of contemporary practices. Mortality : promoting the interdisciplinary study of death and dying, 5(1), 18-33. https://doi.org/10.1080/713685989 (Original work published 2000)