Death,dying and Bereavement in Sweden and Norway. A Comparative Study

Abstract

In a research project `Symbols of death´ concerning pictorial symbols and epitaphs on gravestones in Norway and Sweden, the focus has been on the 1990s and the 2000s. Individual symbols have increased especially in Sweden while Norway has saved more of earlier traditions of collective character. Secular motifs have been more evident on the gravestones in Sweden than in Norway. Another case study is concentrated on collective rituals around sudden death. Commemoration of deaths in traffic accidents have assumed similar features in Norway and Sweden. In these rapid sorrow situations it has not been current to mark individual traits in Sweden but instead emphasize collective manifestations that is in accordance with Norwegian traditions. The all-inclusive issue in my studies of memorial websites on the Internet concerns how mourners express their emotions, experiences and concepts of belief regarding the deceased person. The concept that the deceased is somewhere in heaven is very common. Belief in angels occurs very often in the messages.