Ernesto Ramirez

Objects for dying

This Project explores the cultural and practical shifts surrounding death rituals, particularly focusing on the transition from traditional to home funerals, which offer a more personal and environmentally sustainable approach. The modern funeral industry, often characterized by impersonal services, high costs, and significant environmental impact, has led to increased alienation from the process of death. This has amplified societal anxiety about mortality, normalizing detached, commercial funeral practices. In contrast, historical practices integrated death into daily life and community rituals, with home funerals being a standard in Western cultures. These involved intimate acts of washing and dressing the deceased within the family’s living space, fostering community bonds and personal closure.The paper also critiques the current funeral industry in Canada, valued at $1.6 billion, highlighting unethical sales tactics and unnecessary financial burdens imposed on families during vulnerable times. Additionally, it addresses the environmental issues related to modern funerals, such as the use of harmful chemicals and the consumption of extensive resources.The concept of "Objects for Dying" is introduced, which involves items used in daily life that can also serve functions in death rituals, like a day bed or a body shroud, emphasizing a life-long interaction with objects that ultimately assist in the death process. This approach not only demystifies death but also integrates it more holistically into life, promoting a healthier acceptance of mortality and reducing fear and alienation. This narrative challenges the impersonal, commercial practices prevalent today, advocating for a return to more meaningful, community-centered death practices.