Death’s Social and Material Meaning beyond the Human

This edited volume explores death and dying from beyond the nature/culture binary, highlighting the complex interconnections among human and more-than-human creatures, entities, and environments.

Format: Hardback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2024
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Death studies often overlook the broader factors involved in social and natural processes surrounding death, focusing solely on the death of humans. This edited volume offers an alternative perspective by expanding the scope of death studies to encompass the complex interconnections between humans and other creatures, entities, and environments. By bringing together a diverse group of international scholars, the book sheds light on topics that have previously been marginalized in contemporary death studies and death care cultures. The book is organized around three themes: Knowledge and Mediation, Care and Remembrance, and Agency and Power. These themes serve as a framework for exploring death and dying from a perspective that goes beyond the traditional nature/culture binary.

The first theme, Knowledge and Mediation, examines the ways in which knowledge is produced, mediated, and circulated about death. It explores the role of media, technology, and social media in shaping our understanding of death and the ways in which these forms of communication can both perpetuate and challenge dominant narratives. The second theme, Care and Remembrance, explores the various practices and rituals associated with death and dying. It examines the ways in which individuals and communities cope with loss and create meaning through practices such as burial, memorialization, and mourning. The third theme, Agency and Power, examines the ways in which individuals and groups exercise power and influence over the processes of death and dying. It explores the role of institutions, such as hospitals, funeral homes, and governments, in shaping our attitudes towards death and the ways in which these institutions can both promote and restrict access to care and support.

Through its interdisciplinary approach, this book provides a fresh and innovative perspective on death studies and death care cultures. It challenges readers to think beyond the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines and to consider the complex interrelationships between humans and other creatures, entities, and environments. It is an essential resource for scholars, researchers, and practitioners interested in exploring the multifaceted aspects of death and dying.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529230147