What is a good death? Ritual, whether religious or not, still counts.

The Guardian
London UK
Monday 14 May 2012

‘Capturing the person’ at funerals is a distinctly modern concern – traditionally the ritual has focused on the bigger picture.

The idea of a good death is not new. Anthropologists, historians, and other social scientists have long documented the variety of ways in which a good death is achieved. Crucial to this is not only how someone dies, but how that death is commemorated. In many cases, to include Britain today, a good death has to involve a good funeral. Ritual, even in this postmodern age, is flourishing. And whether or not we identify as religious such ritual, it seems, still counts.

Read the full article in The Guardian

Thanks to The Good Funeral Guide Blog for alerting us to this article.