Browsing by Author "Jung, Olga"

The present study is explorative in nature and examines the social practices related to the cemeteries in Finland. This research seeks to explore how cultural symbols, practices, experiences, and the meanings tied to cemeteries are related to both individual and collective psychological processes, their mutual growth and evolution. Cemetery is a fruitful object for analysis, as it represents not only a location for burials but also symbolic aspects of cultural, social, and historical positions. The study is situated within the Valsiner’s (2000; 2007; 2014) theory of cultural psychology which is well suited for the analysis of the social practices embedded in culture and of the processes of meaning making. The study applies the concept of collective memory as a part of cultural context. The research question is: How do people construct, transmit, and maintain meanings about cemeteries? In total, 268 thematic writings were analyzed using Riessman’s (2008) thematic narrative analysis. As a result, the study identified three main themes describing the processes involved in meaning making about cemeteries: Visiting cemeteries as ritualized practices, Visiting cemeteries as everyday practices, Visiting cemeteries as practices of connecting with ancestors. These practices serve as semiotic tools and mediate the creation of meanings. Identified meanings related to cemeteries depicted cemeteries in three manners, such as: “oppressive, dark, scary places”, “beautiful, fascinated, interesting”, “comforting, peaceful, man’s final resting place”. These results align with earlier studies on the meanings of cemeteries and their various roles. With the help of cultural psychology theory and thematic narrative analysis this study demonstrates the meanings related to cemeteries in Finland and processes which contributed to the formation, support, and transfer of these meanings. The study offers insights into meaning making process by showing that not only language can facilitate it but the behaviour as well. The study contributes to the field of social psychology by expanding the body of cemetery research, by integrating cultural aspect, and by considering mutual influence of personal and social.