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An ethnography of the British Humanist Association

Grant reference: RES-000-22-4157

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Presentation/lecture details

'Not mine, not mine' : on the coffin question in non-religious funerals
This lecture addressed the ways in which humanist celebrants approach the presence of the coffin in the funerals they conduct. For some celebrants, addressing the coffin, or otherwise acknowledging its presence, seems illogical, since the point of a humanist funeral is to affirm the idea that there is no afterlife. So what is being addressed in such a situation? For other celebrants, the point is to show respect for the loved ones of the deceased. This papaper situates these concerns in relation to broader literatures on material culture and the body.
English

Primary contributor

Author Matthew Engelke

Bodies involved

Host University College London

Additional details

This lecture was subsequently delivered at the Utrecht University on 18 October 2012 and Stockholm University on 1 November 2012.
London
27 February 2012
27 February 2012

Files

The Coffin Questionx.pdf (.pdf / 93kb)