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Death Among the Mountains: Examining West Virginian Burial and Funeral Traditions

Raven Forshee* and Alyssa Beall

Program for Religious Studies, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation Category: Oral-Human Engagement (Oral Presentation #3)

Student’s Major: Biology

West Virginia has long been overlooked in the academic space, resulting in many of the traditions of the state being ignored by researchers. Instead, many key traditions are passed along solely by families. One set of traditions that are often overlooked by researchers are those of funerals and burials within the state. With no physical space constraints, lax laws surrounding burial, and generations of people with diverse various backgrounds, why, then, do people choose to have certain types of funerals and be buried the way they choose to be buried? This project set out to explore the funeral and burial traditions within the state and uncover how they were formed. Focusing on a series of interviews with people who live within the state, funeral home directors, as well as a review of the current literature, I discuss how funerary traditions came to be and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. My presentation also serves to spark a conversation with people about what they want out of their death and how to create a plan for their loved ones. My goal with this project is to discuss why people choose to be laid to rest in certain ways, and how people can speak more candidly about their own expectations for their death.

Funding:

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: Other, Honors EXCEL