Using bereavement theory to understand memorialising behaviour
Keywords:
Bereavement models, bereavement theory, cemetery, continuing bonds, memorialisationAbstract
AbstractTwo major theoretical approaches to bereavement – broadly categorised as psychological models of adaptation and the more socially orientated concept of continuing bonds – are often used to make sense of the experience of grief. This exploratory article, based on interviews with staff and visitors to one of the UK's largest municipal cemeteries, suggests that there is much scope for applying these theoretical concepts to memorialisation, in order to promote better understanding among the public and cemetery staff of the reasoning behind individuals’ memorialising choices and behaviour.
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