Ward, Jenna and McMurray, Robert (Accepted: 2018) Dealing with the Dead:Life as a Third Generation Independent Funeral Director. Work, Employment and Society. ISSN 1469-8722 (In Press)
Abstract
This ‘On the Front Line’ article explores the necessary and yet undesirable work undertaken by a third generation, independent funeral director. Peter’s narrative account of the realities of funeral directing and his journey into the family business offers a poignant insight into the dirty work of death work. Reflecting on his own exposure, experiences and practices Peter offers us an opportunity to see behind the scenes, to hear how he has learnt to cope with death work undertaken by his family. Consequently, we reflect on how performances of emotional neutrality afford funeral directors the capacity to offer comfort to the bereaved in the face of such extreme dirty work. Yet, as Peter shares, this neutrality, masks the dirt and hides the pain of ‘dealing with the dead’.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details |
Keywords: | Death work,emotional capital,emotional neutrality,dirty work,funeral directors |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > The York Management School |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 04 Jul 2018 09:00 |
Last Modified: | 13 Mar 2025 05:24 |
Status: | In Press |
Refereed: | Yes |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:132916 |
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