Accessible funerals

Rachel Forrester-Jones, Philip McCallion, Mary McCallion, Roger Stancliffe, Michele Wiese

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceedingChapter or section

Abstract

This chapter briefly outlines Western funeral practices, then describes how funeral participation is important to successful grieving and meaning-making of others’ death. It examines research on funeral attendance and barriers, involving adults with intellectual disability. COVID-19 restricted funeral participation for all, reflecting how people with disabilities have often been excluded from these rituals long before the pandemic. The experience of exclusion and of participation is conveyed in several individual stories. The significance of emotional, social and spiritual supports linked to funerals (and the impact of being denied these) is discussed so that people with disabilities can be better supported to engage with and meaningfully participate in others’ funerals, and have a say in their own funeral arrangements if they wish to. A list of resources is provided.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEnd of life and people with intellectual and developmental disability: Contemporary issues, challenges, experiences and practice
EditorsRoger Standcliffe, Michele Y. Wiese, Philip McCallion, Mary McCarron
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Chapter10
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Funerals
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Accessible

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