Becoming an embalmer's apprentice: An assessment and application of existential sociology

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study:

This study examined the applicability of existential sociology in a research setting. The theory contends that a researcher must report on his or her thoughts, feelings, emotions, drives, passions and etceteras while immersed in some everyday life situation. A retrospective account of these experiences is then used for generalizing and theory construction in terms of possibilities. I chose to become a state registered apprentice funeral director/embalmer and reported on the everyday life experiences that included, body removal and transfer, embalming, funeral arrangements and funeral services using a personal experience narrative.

Findings and Conclusions:

Results were based on my personal experience while participating in the various activities that took place within a funeral home. The personal narrative highlighted a whole range of thoughts and feelings that revealed role strain, role conflict, stigma, and an ongoing debate of existential truth versus social construction. It was determined that existential sociology would be better understood as an existentially informed sociology since there was no perceived difference in its general underpinnings from existential philosophy and the fact that meeting IRB demands would disrupt the integrity of an existential philosophy from the beginning. The application of this approach potentially provided insight into issues of death and dying, personal grief management, and social psychological aspects of self. Additionally, this study served as a concrete example for the challenges a researcher faces when attempting to gain knowledge about a particular social world. The advantages, disadvantages, and possibilities to this methodology were then discussed.