21/05/2024 11:00 - 13:15

HALL: LA PIRA - ROOM 5

Proponent: Scalici G.

Chair: Scalici G.

Speaker: Di Giovanna S., Omenetto S., Scalici G., Strack F., Tumminello E.

All humans die, this is an inevitable part of our lives. However, how we cope with it and the rituals we created to help us overcoming these painful moments are profoundly influenced by and bound to each individual culture and, especially, religion. Funerals, beyond their role in guiding us through grief, serve as pivotal occasions for community building, fostering connections, and mitigating the risk of complicated grief. However, certain religious communities face obstacles in conducting their traditional funerals, posing significant challenges to the social and psychological fabric of their community.
This panel seeks to address two key questions: Do religious minorities enjoy the same funeral rights as the majority? How have these communities adapted to constraints imposed by local funeral laws and facilities?
Despite the profound significance of funerals for societal well-being, academic attention toward this matter remains insufficient, leaving this terrain relatively unexplored. By illuminating the hurdles and prospects within this domain, our aim is to contribute to the formulation of policies and approaches that safeguard religious liberties and cater to the diverse needs of minority groups.
Bibliography
Hunter A. (2016), Deathscapes in diaspora, «Social & Cultural Geo.», 17(2).
May M., Smilde D. (2016), Minority Participation and Well-Being in Majority Catholic Nations, «J Rel Health», 55(3).