Changing Patterns of Ritual Response to Death

Abstract

Changes in our understanding of death and grief in the past decades have produced corresponding changes in funerals-the ritual response to death. Examination of new funeral service orders in a number of mainstream faith communities indicates six common trends that reflect a growing intentional awareness of the psychological and sociological insights into the mourning process. These developments in the understanding of funeral ritual make it a more effective resource for coping with death and bereavement.