The unnaturalness of natural burials : dispossessing the dispossessed

Balonier, Anna-Katharina and Parsons, Elizabeth and Patterson, Anthony (2019) The unnaturalness of natural burials : dispossessing the dispossessed. Mortality, 24 (2). pp. 212-230. ISSN 1357-6275

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Abstract

The rise of natural burials has not been without controversy. Traditionalist funeralists and a number of mourners struggle to reconcile new immaterial, anti-symbolic practices with those of old. Drawing from an extensive ethnographic study of German cemeteries of both traditional and natural denomination, and by employing a spatial theory approach, we consider the impact that the rise of natural burials has had on all parties in the funeral industry. In particular, we find that those who initially profess a keenness to mark the death of a loved one according to the new conventions of natural burials frequently become disillusioned with their choice. They are unwilling to fully embrace novel mourning practices which eradicate the material symbols that memorialise the deceased. In effect, natural burials dispossess the already dispossessed.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Mortality
Additional Information:
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Mortality on 05/03/2019, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13576275.2019.1585786
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3306
Subjects:
?? natural burialcemeteriescemetery spacemourning practicesburial culturehealth(social science)religious studiesphilosophy ??
ID Code:
142341
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
27 May 2020 14:35
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
13 Jan 2024 00:21