Contemporary Social Factors and Funeral Rites

Discussion Questions What are sociological factors? Examples? Why is “social support” important in helping the bereaved cope with a loss? Give examples of social support systems.

Readings Question #1 What are three areas of socioeconomics that may influence a family’s choice of funeral rites?

Freedom of Choice How have funeral choices evolved over the years? What are the advantages of the family having more choices? What are the disadvantages?

Social Stratification and Class How can this impact selection of funeral rites? Can social class change? How often?

Economic Position What are some ethical and professional responsibilities of the funeral director? How may a person’s economic status impact their life expectancy? How may a person’s economic status be impacted by the death?

Readings Question #2 Based on geographic location, how do American funeral rites and merchandise vary? Neo-localism: “the tendency of offspring to move away from the area in which they were born” (Sociology of Funeral Service)

Readings Question #3 How does neo-localism influence the relationship between the funeral director and the family? How can the funeral home and staff meet this challenge?

Readings Question #4 What influence could religion have on funeral rites? How does “religion” qualify as a social factor?

Readings Question #5 What impact does government have on funeral rites? How can “government” be considered a social factor?

Educational Level How can a person’s educational level impact their choice of funeral rites? How is the average person’s educational level changing? How might this change impact the way that funeral director “works” with families?

Ethnicity “any of the basic divisions or groups of humankind distinguished by customs, characteristics, and languages, rather than physical characteristics of race” (Sociology of Funeral Service)

Readings Question #6 How may a person’s ethnicity impact thjeir choice of funeral rites?

Other Contemporary Social Factors Divorce Abuse Demographic Issues Same-sex Partnerships Cohabitants Living Single Population