From Undertaker to Funeral Director: A Social Change in Cyprus

Abstract: How often do we think of our own death? And how often do we stop and think of the changes surrounding death that affect our lives? Thanatology, the study of death and dying, examines death from different perspectives. Following a thanatological path, this research aimed to explore the relationship between death and technology in terms of social change, specifically in the Republic of Cyprus. Funeral parlours were at the center of this research with three funeral directors being interviewed along with one recently retired priest in the city of Nicosia. Using in-depth interviewing, the research explored the experiences, processes, and changes that Cypriot funerals underwent. Three major turning points in Cypriot history influenced social change in the funeral sector, namely, the 1974 Turkish invasion, the accession of the island to the European Union, and the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Findings revealed several changes and interestingly enough, the funeral parlours today are involved even when the funeral is over with the help of the Internet. Along with other causes such as ideology, competition, conflict and political and economic factors, the funeral industry not only evolved and broadened its role but also managed to get de-stigmatised. The undertaker transformed into a funeral director and now acts as a coordination center for various other businesses, with the client ending up with fewer responsibilities. Lastly, while funeral parlours are certified and examined for their profession, institutions such as the state, the police, and the church still regulate and limit their role.