The Sociological Analysis of the Phenomenon of Death and Its Effects on the Everyday Lives of the Bereaved

Abstract

Human knowledge concerning death and the metaphysical realm remains extremely limited, and this lack of awareness about death has contributed to human fear of mortality. The consequences of this fear affect not only the deceased but are also transmitted to their survivors. Accordingly, the present study seeks to examine the sociological dimensions of the phenomenon of death and its effects on the everyday lives of bereaved individuals. The study employs a field research method, and the interview data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the effects and consequences of death on the everyday lives of the deceased’s survivors encompass a broad spectrum of responses, some of which are social, some cultural, and others psychological. Certain consequences are social in nature and affect a substantial proportion of survivors over the long term, whereas others are short-term and affect only a smaller proportion of survivors. The duration and intensity of these effects, however, depend on the degree of closeness or distance characterizing the relationship between the survivors and the deceased.