An enquiry into funeral ritual

Abstract

The aim of this research was to identify and discuss funeral ritual used by Pakeha New Zealanders. To this end two funeral directors, two clergy, two funeral celebrants and four bereaved people were interviewed. Of the four bereaved people two had organized church based funerals and two had services at home. The sample was gathered from the Lower Hutt and Wellington areas. A general interview guide was used with a checklist covering elements of funeral ritual. The purpose of funeral ritual was identified as being disposal of the body, as well as a number of social functions. These were seen to include: notification of the death; honouring and farewelling the deceased person in some manner; support of the bereaved; provision of an outlet (preferably public) for the expression of emotion; and, finally, allowance for the reincorporation of the bereaved person back into society. The keys to the success, or otherwise, of the funeral ritual were the 'personalising' of the service and the provision of options. The conscious or unconscious assimilation of aspects of Maori culture were thought to have been a positive influence on Pakeha funeral ritual. No significant differences were found between clergy- and officiant-led services. There was a general expectation that most bereaved people expect a religious element to the service.