Between Silence and Service
An Interpretative Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Funeral Directors and Cemetery Workers
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13629066 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mateus Eduardo Romão (0009-0006-8968-1616, University of Pavia, corresponding author), Kate Woodthorpe (0000-0002-0642-2832, University of Bath), Ilaria Setti (0000-0001-7901-4226, University of Pavia), Serena Barello (0000-0002-8514-2563, University of Pavia) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 302228251390126-302228251390126 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-15 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00302228251390126 |
| PMID | 41092133 |
| OpenAlex | W4415219372 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 25 |
This study explores how Italian funeral home and cemetery workers construct vocational meaning and navigate identity amid constant exposure to death. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 participants (12 funeral directors, 7 cemetery workers), exploring emotional labor, motivation, coping, stigma, and ethics. Six themes emerged: (1) emotional labor and detachment, (2) mortality and transformation, (3) stigma and invisibility, (4) vocational ethics and care, (5) unique challenges for cemetery workers, and (6) institutional barriers for funeral directors. Despite low social prestige, participants expressed a strong sense of calling and deep ethical commitment. Their narratives reveal a complex professional identity shaped by emotional depth, moral responsibility, and silent service. This study contributes to the vocational behavior literature by shedding light on meaningful work and identity formation in stigmatized, death-related professions
Construct (python library · Identity (music · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Lived experience · Meaning (existential · Narrative · Silence · Social constructionism · Emotional Labor in Professions · Employment and Welfare Studies · Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior
Interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
The Job Demands‐Resources model
The job demands-resources model as a theoretical lens for the bright and dark side of digitization
A missing link? The role of mortuary staff in hospital-based bereavement care services
Relationship between resilience and professional moral courage among nurses
Funeral directors’ experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic
Relational Capital and Post-Traumatic Growth
Closing the casket
Conflict in the context of care
Exploring Funeral Directors’ Experience and Perceived Impact of Providing Funeral Services During Covid-19 Restrictions
Congruence work in stigmatized occupations
Grave communications
Purposeful Sampling in Qualitative Research Synthesis
Dirty Work and Stigma
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |