Change is an ever-present aspect of social life. Change can be swift and highly disruptive or slow and less unsettling. The changing structure of body disposition is an example of the latter. The traditional funeral is slowly losing the broad support it once enjoyed. This work explores three of the new methods of body disposition: (1) cremation; (2) secular, life-centered funerals; and (3) celebratory, “fun” funerals. The study opens with a review of the historical changes that have led to what most would consider traditional funerals. The reader will find a discussion of what many would say are deviant methods of body disposition. Cremation is quickly becoming less deviant. To be sure, of the three evolving types of funerals, none are as contentious as the fun funeral. The life-centered, celebratory funeral is growing in popularity in other parts of the world (especially Australia) yet is relatively unheard of in America.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AndersonP.1996. All Of us: Americans talk about the meaning of death.New York: Delacorte Press.
2.
BramL., ed. 1979. New encyclopedia.New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
3.
CalecaL. G.1993, July 25. Dying traditions: The big business of death. Indianapolis Star, p. A1+.
4.
Casket & Funeral Supply Association of America (CFSA).1997, September 3. Newsletter.Skokie, IL: Author.
5.
CassemN. H.1976. The first three steps beyond the grave. In Acute grief and the funeral, edited by PineV. R.KutscherA. H.PeretzD.SlaterR. C.DeBellisR.VolkR. J., and ChericoD. J.Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
6.
ChabotR.1995. Altering a cultural tradition. In Sociology: Exploring the architecture of everyday life, edited by NewmanDavid M.Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
7.
CottrellR. R.EddyJ. M.AllesW. F., and St. PierreR. W.1984. An analysis of college students' attitudes and beliefs concerning body disposal. Death Education8:113–22.
8.
DawsonG. D.SantosJ. F., and BurdickD. C.1990. Differences in final arrangements between burial and cremation as the method of body disposition. Omega21(2): 129–46.
9.
DempseyD.1975. The way we die: An investigation of death and dying in America.New York: MacMillan.
10.
DeSpelderL. A., and StricklandA. L.1999. The last dance: Encountering death and dying.5th ed.Mountain View, CA: Mayfield.
11.
DokaK. J.1984. Expectations of death, participation in funeral arrangements, and grief adjustments. Omega15(2): 119–29.
12.
DolanC.1993, May 20. Burying tradition, more people opt for “fun” funerals. The Wall Street Journal, pp. A1, A7.
13.
DurkheimE.1965. The elementary forms of the religious life.New York: Free Press.
14.
FultonR.1976. The traditional funeral in contemporary society. In Acute grief and the funeral, edited by PineV. R.KutscherA. H.PeretzD.SlaterR. C.De BellisR.VolkR. J., and ChericoD. J.Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
15.
GlickI.WeissR., and ParkesC. M.1974. The first year of bereavement.New York: Wiley.
16.
HuntingtonR., and MetcalfP.1979. Celebrations of death: The anthropology of mortuary ritual.New York: Cambridge University Press.
17.
IrionP. E.1990-91. Changing patterns of ritual response to death. Omega, 22(3): 159–72.
18.
IsersonK.1987. Death to dust: What happens to dead bodies?Tucson, AZ: Galen Press.
19.
JacobsT. A., and WilkesM. S.1988. Cremation patterns for patients dying of AIDS in New York City. New York State Journal of Medicine88(12): 628–32.
20.
KleinA.1998. The courage to laugh: Humor, hope, and healing in the face of death and dying.New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam.
21.
KubasakM. W.1990. Cremation and the funeral director—Successfully meeting the challenge.Malibu, CA: Avalon Press.
22.
LemingM. R., and DickinsonG. E.1994. Understanding dying, death, and bereavement.3d ed.New York: Harcourt Brace College.
23.
LittleM., and HaleyA.1966. The autobiography of Malcolm X.New York: Grove.
24.
LoflandL. H.1978. The craft of dying: The modern face of death.Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
25.
MarroneR.1997. Death, mourning & caring.Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
26.
MarxK., and EngelsF.1947. The German ideology.New York: International Publishers.
MollerD. W.1996. Confronting death: Values, institutions and human morality.New York: Oxford University Press.
29.
NelsenV. J.1993. One woman's interracial journey. In Ethnic variations in dying, death, and grief: Diversity in universality, edited by IrishD.LundquistK. F., and NelsenV. J.Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.
30.
OaksJ., and EzellG.1993. Dying and death: Coping, caring, understanding.Scottsdale, AZ: Gorsuch Scarisbrick.
31.
PineV. R.1971, June. Findings of the professional census.Milwaukee, MN: National Funeral Directors Association.
32.
RaetherH. C.1985. Immediate and extended postdeath activities. In Loss, grief and bereavement, edited by MargolisO. S.New York: Praeger.
33.
TurnerR. E., and EdgleyC.1978. Death as theater: A dramaturgical analysis of the American funeral. Sociology and Social Research60(4).
34.
VoelkerR.1987, Spring. As old as fire itself. Notre Dame Magazine, pp. 12–14.
35.
WalterT.1990. Funerals and how to improve them.London: Hodder & Stoughton.
36.
War Department.1865, March 15. General order 39.Washington, DC: Author.
37.
WeaverG., and CalecaL. G.1993, July 29. Dying traditions: Fading grandeur. Indianapolis Star, p. A1+.
38.
WelfordJ. M.1992, September/October. American death and burial custom derivation from medieval European cultures. Forum, p. 6–9.
39.
WestS.1993. Silently hiding in the valley of the shadow of death. Mortuary Management85(10): 10–1.
40.
WolfeltA. D.1997, Fall. The service room: A new educational tool for funeral homes. Centerpiece, p. 3.
