In this online talk, Dr Kate Woodthorpe will be reflecting on current funeral practices, and the impact of COVID on funerals, to consider how funerals may evolve in the next decade. Building on her recently completed project on direct cremation which showed that - for the participants in the study at least - cremation choices are driven by values more than cost, she will debate whether we are on the cusp of the privatisation of funerals, as they increasingly become 'invite only' events.

There’ll be an opportunity to share thoughts and ask questions.

This talk will take place on Zoom. Login details will be emailed in advance.
Everyone is welcome. All proceeds from this event will be donated to a charity of Dr Kate Woodthorpe’s choosing.

About Dr Kate Woodthorpe
Dr Kate Woodthorpe is Senior Lecturer in Sociology in the Centre for Death and Society at the University of Bath. Over the last two decades she has conducted research on funeral practices, families at the end of life, cemetery usage and mortuary practices. She has published extensively in this area and advised the Government on funeral policy for many years, most recently as part of the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into funeral services.