The think tank Theos has published a report which shows significant changes in the way that people in the UK are approaching death and dying. Its author, Madeleine Pennington, concludes that British society does death badly.
In this Religion Media Centre briefing, she explains her view that “we’re not exposed to it, don’t prepare for it, and, in a less religious age, increasingly allow our grief for others to be shaped by market forces”. Her research found that fewer than half want a funeral at all, preferring the idea of direct cremations where the body is disposed of without any ritual.
Our panel discussed the long-term psychological effect of sudden departures and imagined the future, as loved ones seek to preserve and even re-create the deceased’s digital presence. The author was joined by panellists Dr Nathan Mladin, Senior Researcher at Theos; Rev Prof Douglas Davies, Dept of Theology and Religion University of Durham and Director of the Centre for Death and Life Studies; Dr Jennifer Uzzell, academic and funeral director; Deborah Smith, the National Association of Funeral Directors; and Yvonne Richmond Tulloch, CEO of the charity AtaLoss.
To join future RMC briefings, join our mailing list here >>
Full Briefing Video
We live tweet all of our briefings – find us at @relmedcentre
