RELIGST 2M03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Ethnocentrism, Arnold Van Gennep, Ethnography
4 Jul 2016
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Religious studies 2m03 death and dying: mortuary rituals. A repetitive, stylized act that happens at least on a semi-regular basis: can be secular and/or religious, held at set times and places, all religions feature rituals. Grimes notes that the contemporary views of rituals come from psychological and social effects but it can also be a means of interacting with the ancestor realm, heaven, paradise, etc. Many secular rituals involve pomp grad, standing for national anthem, remembrance day. Others are less fabulous morning routine, brushing teeth, etc. Death rites serve several purposes: deceased funeral means end of life, facilitates transition, for survivors consolation and facilitation of grief, displays of loyalty and kinship, notes that death rites can complicate things for people. Woman caring for her elderly mother, had to decide if she should care for mother or save for her burial: suggests that it would be ethnocentric of us to consider funerals and last rite.
