Funeral Service Sociology

Sociology is the systematic study of human social interaction and social groups. This course focuses on the sociology of funeral service. Funeral service sociology is the science of social groups and their effects on funeral practices and disposition. (ABFSE)

Globalization is the process of connecting countries and cultures in economic, social, and political activities. This includes the funeral profession. The globalization impact on the funeral industry through a sociological perspective encompasses culture, norms, rituals, and socialization in a societal context. This includes family dynamics, demographics, religion, economics, political views, and urbanization. All of which the funeral professional deals with daily in their career when relating to families.

Sociology is a perspective that can provide knowledge that will assist the funeral service professional in understanding cultural changes in our current lives that impact the funeral service industry. August Comte is said to be the “father of sociology.” He stated that societies have forces that tend to stabilize and bring order to social life. He was a believer that everything in society is subject to change. Therefore, his conclusion is society is both fixed and unstable. This imbalance creates tension between immutability (order/stability) and mutability (change) in all societies. The funeral director/embalmer needs to recognize these factors. This is why it’s essential to understand cultural change and tradition.