The materialism and pornography of death! Questioning the conformity and conflict in the funeral and burial practices in Zimbabwe with particular reference to Mutare urban 2007-2011

Abstract

Death is a constant fact of life and in most societies, a great deal of attention is paid to preparation for death,ceremonies surrounding death, memorials commemorating death and speculation as to what happens to a person after death. Death is marked by a funeral. The study argues that funerals are neither new nor indicative of people whose moral fibre has deca yed. Instead, the study shows how mortuary archaeology and related funeral and burial practices, have remained pillars upon which the socio-economic and cultural changes of a community or local area have been communicated over time. This study draws upon historical analogies to refute the celebrated claim that contemporary funerals and burial practices have ceased to be occasions for somber dignity and respect for the dead. The study maintains that the good and bad that people lived, lives after them, and funeral and burial practices are the theatre of action.