Does Place Matter? Burial Decisions of Muslims in Canada

This paper is concerned with the complex relationship between immigration, religion, burial decisions, and a sense of belonging. Drawing upon a case study of Muslims in London, Ontario, Canada, we examine Islamic funeral and burial services available in the city and the preferred burial locations of...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Akkaymak, Güliz (Author) ; Belkhodja, Chedly 1966- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Sage [2020]
In: Studies in religion
Year: 2020, Volume: 49, Issue: 3, Pages: 372-388
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B London / Canada / Muslim / Funeral / Grave / Place
IxTheo Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
BJ Islam
KBQ North America
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:This paper is concerned with the complex relationship between immigration, religion, burial decisions, and a sense of belonging. Drawing upon a case study of Muslims in London, Ontario, Canada, we examine Islamic funeral and burial services available in the city and the preferred burial locations of its Muslim communities. Our interviews with different immigrant generations of Muslims show that participants, regardless of their immigrant generation, prefer London as a location of burial for themselves and their loved ones. We argue that four major factors at the structural and individual level shape the preference of study participants with respect to the location of burial: access to an Islamic cemetery and Islamic funeral services; an established Muslim population in the city; relation to and interpretation of religious requirements; and a sense of belonging to Canada. We discuss the findings in relation to multiculturalism and recognition of cultural and religious differences.
Cet article s’intéresse à la relation complexe entre immigration, religion et le choix du lieu de sépulture. À partir d’une étude de cas de la ville de London en Ontario (Canada), nous examinons la disponibilité des services religieux offerts à la population musulmane et leur sentiment d’appartenance à la communauté de London. Des entrevues menées avec des Musulmans de différentes générations indiquent que la grande majorité font le choix de l’inhumation à London. Plusieurs facteurs structurels et individuels expliquent cette décision.
ISSN:2042-0587
Contains:Enthalten in: Studies in religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0008429819858925