Close together and far apart: necrosocialities in urban Japan

What is it about?

Closeness determines the possibilities of the dead to be materially and spiritually cared for by the living and to receive the consolation of an afterlife among deceased family, friends, or pets, rather than strangers. However, although current mortuary sites have responded to the rapid social and demographic changes over the last few decades by offering alternatives to traditional constructions of necrosocial closeness, they have also created new exclusionary patterns based on purchasing capacity. In order to understand how beliefs and values of necrosocial closeness are negotiated within physical and financial limitations, we focus on case studies of two major urban cemeteries in Tokyo. Based on site visits, interviews with staff, and conversations with bereaved individuals, we expand the concept of necrosocialities to include not only the relationships between the living that coalesce around death, and the relationships sustained between the living and the dead through mortuary practices, but also the material and symbolic constructions of (assumed) relationships among the dead themselves. We place this discussion in a comparative perspective, drawing from primary research in Cyprus (a Mediterranean society) and Denmark (a northern European welfare state), societies with different care systems. We conclude that the systemic nature of exclusion of socially marginalized people from necrosocial closeness constitutes a form of ungrievability, and that a framework built around necrosocial closeness is critical to creating more just, inclusive and accessible post-death arrangements with implications for broader issues of care inequality.

Featured Image

Photo by Nick Wood on Unsplash

Photo by Nick Wood on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study focuses on the unique and unexplored theme of "necrosocialities" (social connections surrounding death and the afterlife) in urban Japan. What sets this research apart is its detailed examination of how people's perceptions of life and death, as well as their social connections, are evolving in the context of urbanization and globalization. Additionally, it provides critical insights into addressing contemporary societal issues such as isolation and the weakening of community bonds. This study is not only academically significant but also appealing to a broader audience, contributing to a deeper understanding of social challenges. As a result, it is expected to increase readership and enhance its academic impact.

Perspectives