Impact of COVID-19 on Funeral Rituals & Practices in Ireland: A Survey
The challenges of Covid-19 public health guidelines have had an impact on every aspect of life, and this pandemic may bring about unexpected changes to the customs and practices of Ireland long into the future. One important facet of Irish life it has affected is how people accompany the bereaved: the traditional Irish funeral and ways of grieving changed literally overnight.
A study team in the Centre for Mission and Ministries at the Pontifical University, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, (Dr Michael Shorthall, Registrar, and Dr Aoife McGrath, Director of Pastoral Theology) are looking for participants to take a survey to:
• identify the way people accompany dying, deceased, and bereaved persons,
• understand how bereavement support is offered by those in formal positions of responsibility and informally as ‘neighbours’, and
• learn how the pandemic impacted Catholic funerals from participants’ perspectives.
The online survey takes about 15 minutes. It will help gain insight into what is an important experience. Participants’ responses will help paint a picture of what is currently happening, and possible trends into the future. There is also the opportunity for an interview, if participants are interested.
For full information see maynoothcollege.ie/covid-19-and-funeral-rituals-and-practices-a-study
