Exploring family dynamics in living funerals: Rituals to relationships

Abstract

This study aims to analyse how internal family relationships and dynamics are manifested during funeral ceremonies in Chinese society. As an emerging farewell practice, living funerals in Chinese societies depart from traditional death rituals, challenging established funeral paradigms and providing a platform to scrutinise the inner family dynamic and experiences. The study utilises a multidimensional data collection approach, including interviews with the living funeral holders and attending family members, detailed field notes during the living funeral and whole video recordings of the event. Employing narrative analysis, it delves into the family's life experiences as narrated during the funeral, providing insight into the emotional and relational shifts that occur. The findings suggest that while living funerals allow for exploring family roles and emotional landscapes, they also highlight the complex interplay of cultural practices and familial relationships. The study contributes to understanding how traditional taboos around death may be navigated through contemporary practices. Findings underscore the profound exploration of living funerals on family dynamics within Chinese culture. The practice provides a vital lens for examining the interconnectedness and emotional underpinnings of family relationships. Participation engages families in a process of navigating collective and individual histories, aiding reconciliation and affirming familial identities. Research highlights how living funerals powerfully express love, regrets and unspoken words, fostering deeper understanding and continuing bonds before death. Living funerals represent a meaningful contemporary practice, challenging traditional death taboos and offering therapeutic benefits for family therapy and end-of-life care. The paper contributes to the literature by addressing a crucial gap regarding living funerals within Chinese culture and expanding family perspectives on death. By examining how these ceremonies influence familial interactions, the study offers new insights into emotional and cultural dynamics, enhancing understanding of the practice and broader death-related family issues.