The arranged mourning ambience. About the professional production of atmospheres at funeral services

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper operationalises the theory of social practices for the specific case of professionally producing and maintaining the atmospheres in Thuringian mourning halls (Germany). Funeral services constitute a complex of social practices, which releases affects. Using the example of consultation with the funeral director and the funeral speech, I demonstrate how actors in the funeral services profession engage in the practice and shape the funeral service’s atmosphere. Likewise, the present paper outlines that these actors are also affected by the complex of practices and their corporeality as well as disturbances. As a consequence, this disrupts routine performance in funeral service.