Podcast
Questions and Answers
How do funeral directors create social distance between themselves and the deceased?
How do funeral directors create social distance between themselves and the deceased?
By separating bodywork from management, dressing differently, and hiring others for bodywork.
Why is emotional detachment considered important for funeral directors?
Why is emotional detachment considered important for funeral directors?
To cope with the emotional demands of handling corpses and maintain professional objectivity.
What is the dual nature of the 'objects' (corpse) funeral directors handle, as described in the text?
What is the dual nature of the 'objects' (corpse) funeral directors handle, as described in the text?
Sacred and profane, loved and loathed.
How does the language and non-verbal conduct in the preparation room contribute to role-distance?
How does the language and non-verbal conduct in the preparation room contribute to role-distance?
In what ways do funeral directors perform before an audience?
In what ways do funeral directors perform before an audience?
What challenges do funeral directors face due to the performative aspects of their job?
What challenges do funeral directors face due to the performative aspects of their job?
What are some strategies that funeral directors use to accomplish role-distance?
What are some strategies that funeral directors use to accomplish role-distance?
Based on the text, why is it important for the funeral director to manage the perception of being 'contaminated' by contact with the dead?
Based on the text, why is it important for the funeral director to manage the perception of being 'contaminated' by contact with the dead?
What does 'bodywork' refer to in the context of funeral directing, according to the text?
What does 'bodywork' refer to in the context of funeral directing, according to the text?
How does hiring more employees help a funeral director manage role-distance?
How does hiring more employees help a funeral director manage role-distance?
How does separating the role of bodywork from the role of manager help the funeral director?
How does separating the role of bodywork from the role of manager help the funeral director?
Describe how dressing differently for embalming helps a funeral director achieve role-distance.
Describe how dressing differently for embalming helps a funeral director achieve role-distance.
Explain the significance of language in the preparation room for funeral directors.
Explain the significance of language in the preparation room for funeral directors.
What is the impact of successful role-distance on the funeral director’s professional relationships?
What is the impact of successful role-distance on the funeral director’s professional relationships?
How does the text illustrate that emotional detachment is not unique to funeral directing?
How does the text illustrate that emotional detachment is not unique to funeral directing?
In what specific ways does non-verbal conduct contribute to creating a sense of detachment during body preparation?
In what specific ways does non-verbal conduct contribute to creating a sense of detachment during body preparation?
Discuss how the funeral director’s management of 'sacred' and 'profane' aspects of death influences their interaction with the public.
Discuss how the funeral director’s management of 'sacred' and 'profane' aspects of death influences their interaction with the public.
How does the act of staging the show – the funeral – contribute to the funeral director's role-distance?
How does the act of staging the show – the funeral – contribute to the funeral director's role-distance?
Discuss how delegating the 'bodywork' can influence a funeral director’s ability to handle client interactions more effectively.
Discuss how delegating the 'bodywork' can influence a funeral director’s ability to handle client interactions more effectively.
What are the primary benefits of role-distance for funeral directors in managing their professional and personal well-being?
What are the primary benefits of role-distance for funeral directors in managing their professional and personal well-being?
Flashcards
Role-Distance in Funeral Directing
Role-Distance in Funeral Directing
Funeral directors manage conflicting feelings towards death by distancing themselves from the 'bodywork'.
Emotional Detachment
Emotional Detachment
Funeral directors want an emotional separation from corpses.
Preparation Room Conduct
Preparation Room Conduct
Using different language and behaviors in the preparation room to show emotional separation from their work.
Study Notes
- The performative demands placed on funeral directors are complicated by social distance.
- This distance exists between the director and their clients and between the concept of death and the public.
- Funeral directors handle "objects" (corpses) that are simultaneously sacred and profane.
- Funeral directors often separate the hands-on work with the dead from their role as manager to create distance.
- This separation can involve changing attire for embalming or delegating body preparation tasks.
- Delegating tasks allows the director to focus on managing the funeral arrangements.
- This prevents them from being "contaminated" by direct contact with the dead.
- Emotional detachment from the corpse is often desired.
- Funeral directors and their staff distance themselves from the task of embalming.
- Language and non-verbal conduct in the preparation room communicate detachment from the difficult work.
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