Death and Religion in a Changing World

Death and Religion in a Changing World is a comprehensive study of the intersection of death and religion, exploring how everyday people enact religious responses to death in the twenty-first century. It employs an ethnographic approach and covers emerging social and religious phenomena, such as public shrines, the Covid-19 pandemic, funeral celebrants, death with dignity, spiritual bereavement groups, and online funeral practices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 332 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Death and Religion in a Changing World is a comprehensive and accessible exploration of the intricate intersection of death and religion, delving into how individuals in the twenty-first century enact religious responses to the inevitable end of life. This groundbreaking book, with insightful contributions from esteemed scholars in the field of religious studies, departs from the traditional focus on established beliefs and delves into the dynamic evolution of religious traditions in response to changing social contexts. Through an ethnographic approach, Death and Religion in a Changing World provides a detailed account of how people from diverse religious backgrounds and those without religious affiliation utilize and adapt religious practices as they navigate the complexities of death in modern societies.

In this second edition, every chapter has been meticulously revised and enriched with new chapters that address ethical considerations surrounding dying, such as life-prolonging medical treatments, palliative care, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, and the emerging hospice movement. Additionally, this book explores emerging social and religious phenomena, including public shrines, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on funeral practices, funeral celebrants, death with dignity, spiritual bereavement groups, and online funeral practices.

As a vital resource for students and scholars of religion, death, and ritual studies, this cutting-edge work offers a profound understanding of the multifaceted ways in which death shapes religious beliefs, practices, and societal attitudes. It sheds light on the diverse ways in which people confront and cope with the ultimate existential challenge, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay between religion, death, and the human experience.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367649326
Edition number: 2 ed