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Traditions of Death and Burial

Dr Helen Frisby

$19.99

Paperback

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English
Shire Publications
01 October 2019
Series: Shire Library
Death has been a source of grief and uncertainty for humanity throughout history, but it has also been the inspiration for a plethora of fascinating traditions. The covering of mirrors to prevent the departed spirit from seeing itself; the passing bell rung to assist the soul to heaven; the ‘sin eater’ who sat beside a coffin eating and drinking to ‘absorb’ the corpse’s sins – all of these were common approaches at one time or another. Yet in the modern day, death has become more clinical than spiritual, something kept hidden behind closed doors. This beautifully illustrated history explores English approaches to death and burial from the medieval era to the present day, exploring ancient customs which have long since lapsed, those such as lighting candles that have survived until the present day, and new approaches such as eco-burials, which are changing how we relate to death, dying and the dead.

By:  
Imprint:   Shire Publications
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Volume:   863
Dimensions:   Height: 210mm,  Width: 149mm, 
Weight:   212g
ISBN:   9781784423773
ISBN 10:   1784423777
Series:   Shire Library
Pages:   96
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Helen Frisby is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Bristol, and also works at UWE, Bristol. Her PhD was on Victorian funerals, and she continues to research, write and speak on the history of death, dying and bereavement. She’s also currently researching the occupational lore of gravediggers. Helen is a Council member of the Folklore Society, and Secretary of the Association for the Study of Death & Society. She lives in Bristol, UK.

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