Islamic ritual experts in a migration context: motivation and authority in the ritual cleansing of the deceased

Abstract

In the Dutch migration context, the deployment of Islamic ritual experts in the ritual cleansing of the deceased has become very common. The imams of the local mosques are performing death rites as part of their professional duties but there is a growing number of 'volunteers' involved. An upcoming phenomenon in the migration context and although widely deployed, they are the same time rather invisible. What motivates these people to become involved in death rites of people they often do not know? And how is their ritual authority recognised? A multi-layered approach provides insight in the expert's role and their motivation and authority at a personal level as well as at a social (interpersonal) and a religious (transpersonal) level. It shows the various configurations that make up each expert's motivation and authority. This approach hands insights in the diversity of Muslim communities in a small town migration context. Tangible leads that can help professionals to provide more tailor made assistance to Muslims and migrants in cases of death. Vignettes are drawn from qualitative research data collected from fieldwork (interviews, observations and participations) conducted in Venlo (NL).

Cemeteries and crematoria, forgotten public space in multicultural Europe. An agenda for inclusion and citizenship

“…The growth of cremation, especially in those countries where cremated remains can be collected and disposed according to personal preferences (e.g. the UK and Netherlands), coupled with the growing individualisation and secularisation of lifecycle rituals, has changed majority use of and cultural attitudes to cemeteries and associated rituals (see Klaassens & Groote, 2014; Venhorst et al, 2013). However, even where cremation is the norm, this may be highly regulated; for example, Sweden legally requires the formal interment or scattering of cremated remains at the crematorium unless there are specific reasons for dispensation, such as for Hindus and Sikhs who usually disperse cremated remains in rivers (Nordh et al, 2021).…”

Communist Funeral Reform in Central Europe (1948–1989): From Religious to Civil Funerals in Czechoslovakia and Hungary

“…By 1945, the cremation rate in Czechoslovakia had reached 8%, and was one of the highest in Europe (see Table 1). In comparison to other socialist states, including the Soviet Union, Czech society was used to the idea of cremation and the secularization of funeral rites before the communist takeover (Merridale, 2000; Nešpor, 2009, 2013; Nešporová & Nešpor, 2009).…”

Rituals of migration: an introduction

“…At other times, ritualisation in a new setting may include new participants and provide new actors with influence or authority (Werbner 1990;Pedersen 2014, 105ff). Some even gain a role as 'ritual experts' who can guide others to perform various kinds of rituals 'the proper way' (Venhorst et al 2013;Rytter 2014). Following Anne Sigfrid Grønseth's article (2018) about the work-related accident and sudden death of a Tamil refugee in northern Norway, we might even suggest that religious practitioners need ritual experts.…”