Social justice and cemetery systems

Abstract

This paper applies social justice frameworks to 'cemetery systems' which here denotes the framework by which each nation state orders the disposal of the dead, and which generally includes burial, cremation and the interment or scattering of cremated remains. An application of social justice theory indicates the desirability of certain key principles for all cemetery systems: decent disposal as a human right; democratic accountability; equality of access to services regardless of income; freedom of religious expression; and environmental sustainability. Achieving these principles is not necessarily straightforward, and conflict between principles is heightened by financialisation and population densification.

Cemeteries and crematoria, forgotten public space in multicultural Europe. An agenda for inclusion and citizenship

“…Further, inadequate funerary provision in the face of religious‐cultural requirements can constitute a form of harm which can exacerbate grief, especially for long‐standing established minorities who cannot fulfil ideal funerary rights in their home country, that is, the place where they live, work, pay taxes, raise families, build communities, and die (Maddrell et al, 2021). Experience of marginalisation in cemeteries‐crematoria can reinforce wider experiences of social exclusion, injustice and racism (Maddrell et al, 2021; Rugg, 2022). Therefore, scrutinising provision for minorities within European municipal cemeteries‐crematoria raises important political questions about how these important public spaces can become more inclusive, as well as the inclusiveness of public spaces per se.…”

Rules, Norms and Practices – A Comparative Study Exploring Disposal Practices and Facilities in Northern Europe

“…As multiple scholars have shown (e.g., Clayden et al, 2015;Rugg, 2000Rugg, , 2020Yarwood et al, 2015), the term 'cemetery' and what it means varies widely from one country to another, to include faith-based burial grounds, municipal postsecular cemeteries, woodland burial sites and graveyards, memorial gardens, and crematoria gardens.…”

Actions and changes in the logistics policy in pandemic times: a case study of a funeral home

“…This change involved the installation of structures, such as tents, incurring even higher costs. When the death was the result of COVID-19, the ceremony was restricted to burial without the traditional Western funerals described by Jacobs (2008) and Rugg (2020). Therefore, the revenue from funerals was affected.…”

“…In the funeral service industry, the task faced by nations throughout the world is how to deal with the human physical remains (Rugg, 2020). Also according to the author, in modern societies, the state generally sets up a legal burial and cremation structure and, in some cases, this structure includes a strategic planning requirement to ensure the suitability of such services.…”

“…Cemeteries are owned and managed by different types of agencies, public, private or linked to religious communities (Rugg, 2020), as in the United Kingdom (Rugg & Parsons, 2018) and The Netherlands (Mathijssen & Venhorst, 2019). In Scandinavian countries, however, such as Sweden and Norway, cemeteries are mainly under church control (Hadders, 2013).…”