Performing Death: A Performance Studies Analysis of Contemporary American Funerals

Abstract

When faced with the death of a loved one, bodies serve as both the site of mourning and the vehicle through which individuals can embody grief. Using a Performance Studies lens this thesis examines the performance of bodies during a contemporary American funeral. This includes the deceased body, bodies of funeral participants, and the bodies of those who work in funeral homes. I seek to address the question-how do bodies perform the various ritual elements of a funeral service and what is the result? Currently, the funeral industry is undergoing major changes. The rise of the funeral industry in the nineteenth century led to the creation of the traditional funeral which includes: embalming of the body, a visitation or viewing, a funeral service, transportation out to the cemetery, and burial at the gravesite. While this model still serves as the foundation of funeral services today, contemporary American funerals are characterized by personalized rituals that reflect the personality of the deceased and help the living play a more active role in the overall performance. A modern funeral must balance consumerism with customization to create a unique memorial experience. This thesis uses a Performance Studies approach to analyze all of the preparations and performances of the rituals associated with a contemporary American funeral.