Funeraria and Modern Funeral Homes: Change, Modernity and Sustainability
Rohane M. Derogongan, Ph.D and Arnann Jay M. Agosto
Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines
Abstract
Some people make a living out of the dead as the case with workers and owners of funeral homes. Since the 1950-s, traditionally operated funeral homes or “funeraria” which are family-owned have been existing in Iligan City, Philippines. However, with the advent of technology and modernity, “funeraria” have to compete with modern funeral homes owned by corporations. The emergence of modern funeral homes created a competitive market on the business of dealing with the dead that includes funeral and burial services, wake preparations for the dead and the bereaved families. The collected narratives of “funeraria” owners revealed challenges on profitability of the business and sustainability of livelihood of families. Such challenges affect the city-s social system for political and economic growth since funeral homes bring in job opportunities, makes the community relations stronger and promote prominence of local politicians. To ensure the undying culture of “funeraria,” local government of Iligan must extend support in protecting the “funeraria” against corporate funeral homes, community must fight against excessive consumerism for small funeral businesses to continue and the academe to scholarly sustain the discussions on culture, identity and heritage preservation.
Keywords: Funeraria, Corporate funeral homes, Iligan City, modernity,sustainability
Topic: International Symposium on Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, and Religious Studies