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Overview
Beyond the Body presents a new and sophisticated approach to death, dying and bereavement, and the sociology of the body. The authors challenge existing theories that put the body at the center of identity. They go "beyond the body" to highlight the persistence ofself-identity even when the body itself has been disposed of or is missing.
embodiments as analytically interesting. . . that the capacity to summon the dead might be salutary rather than morbid is a fresh insight on what it is to sustain a robust social life." --Katherine Young, American Journal of Sociology, July 2000
Synopsis
Beyond the Body presents a new and sophisticated approach to death, dying and bereavement, and the sociology of the body. The authors challenge existing theories that put the body at the centre of identity. They go 'beyond the body' to highlight the persistence of self-identity even when the body itself has been disposed of or is missing.
Chapters draw together a wide range of empirical data, including cross-cultural case studies and fieldwork to examine both the management of the corpse and the construction of the 'soul' or 'spirit' by focusing on the work of:
•undertakers
•embalmers
•coroners
•clergy
•clairvoyants
•exorcists
•bereavement counsellors.