The Cemetery Research Group aims to expand an understanding of current and past funeral culture in the UK and around the world

Three men in front of a wall of niches
Cemetery in Santiago, Chile (photo by I. Amenbar, unsplash)

Every culture must devise ways of attending to mortal remains. The Cemetery Research Group (CRG) takes an interdisciplinary approach in researching how emotional, religious and social concerns have been framed by economic and political imperatives.

Across the world, traditional practices have been gradually overtaken by the need to operate at scale, as populations move from rural to urban settlements. Dealing with the dead has become the purview of professional managers, planners and technological innovators. 

The highly charged significance of mortal remains means that societal responses to the dead can become points of coercion and conflict, celebrating or supressing identity. 

Scholars from around the globe are engaged in cemetery studies, broadly defined, and there is a substantial and growing bibliography.

Events and opportunities

Julie Rugg (University of York) and David Ocón (Singapore Management University) are co-editing a text for Boydell and Brewer’s  ‘Heritage Matters’ series on the subject of funeral heritage. A call for chapter proposals has been issued. Further information can be found here.

New Insights into Scottish Deathways is a digital conference that will be held in April 2025. The conference is currently calling for abstracts.

A training opportunity is now available on the Carbon Literacy Certified Training course for individuals working within the funeral industry. The training is being delivered by a certified trainer of the Carbon Literacy Project, leading to a qualification recognised by the United Nations. Carbon Literacy training provides individuals and organisations with an awareness of the climate-related impacts of their activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Booking is available via Eventbrite for the January 21st 2025 training day.

 

Two tightly-packed rows of headstones for cremated remains
Ripon Cemetery, 2013 (CRG Collection)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cemeteries are there in the UK? How many people are cremated? What’s direct cremation all about, and what’s green burial? We have answers to frequently asked questions about funeral practices in the UK.