RLG229H1 Lecture : second class
Document Summary
mortuary practices are all about normative traditions. people learn about death and its practices through various institution such as family, the church, school etc. hertz says that death does not occur in a single moment. aires says being dead has to do with what it means to be a person. death is just the fate of the individual. when someone dies the do not disappear they lead a diminished life. They live on in people s memories and they still have status in their community. Its is not complete eradication but their presence is diminished. airies says that when someone dies they status is merely shifted. hertz says death is a terrifying anxiety causing event that we have to control over. The worst types of deaths are accidental, unexpected death. There is no closure, time to say goodbye, time for reflection. rituals are actions that help to give identity and meaning/explanations.