Burying Instability: Post-Soviet Governments' Regulation of Funerals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Why are post-Soviet states disproportionately more active in the regulation of a private life sphere like funerals? Striving to address this question, the study combines quantitative and qualitative data analysis. I argue that the combination of high poverty and low political stability makes post-Soviet states more responsive to the increasing financial burden of death costs on households, prompting them to a more active interference into funeral regulation. Additionally, government alertness should also be combined with a strong political will and the capability to stand up to state capture by vested interests while formulating and enforcing death-cost regulations. Neither corruption nor cultural factors, whether internationally or in the post-Soviet region, significantly affect governments’ resolve to regulate funeral costs.