Articulations of ‘Funeral’ in Swedish Newspapers During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This article explores how ‘funeral’ was articulated in Swedish newspapers during the Covid-19 pandemic and how such articulations relate to power and ideology. Articles from the six most prominent Swedish newspapers, published over 2 years, have been analyzed using critical discourse analysis and intersectionality. The study reveals three funeral discourses dominating during different periods of the pandemic: ‘Funeral as a risk,’ ‘Funeral as an essential ritual,’ and ‘Funeral as a profession.’ Altogether, the three discourses expose an ideal of ‘the responsible mourner.’ This rational woman follows the funeral restrictions and arranges a church funeral shortly after the death of a relative. The ‘good funeral’ is portrayed as a church funeral with physically present mourners, performed according to the deceased’s will and in honor of the dead. The ‘bad funeral,’ described as the opposite of the ‘good funeral,’ dominates the understanding of the pandemic funeral situation.