Continuity and Ruptures in Brazilian Funeral Rites

Abstract

This chapter aims to analyze changes and continuity in funeral rites in the south of Brazil, both in rural and urban settings. To that end, the authors have used ethnography and oral history in order to conduct research on the social representations of death and the changes surrounding Catholic funeral rites. The results achieved have shown that funeral rites have undergone transformations in recent decades, in both settings. In cities, however, changes have been greater, arising both from the urbanization process, as well as the desocialization of death. Generally, funeral rites, which are organized by morticians, have been abbreviated and simplified. Emotions are restrained. In the conclusion, we note that these changes do not impact the importance of funerals, whose function is enabling the passage from the world of the living to the world of the dead and to bring safety and protection to the living.