ABSTRACT
This chapter explores personal values of the funeral, cemetery, memorial, and grave or memorial visitation, from the perspectives of mourners of various social and cultural backgrounds. Viewing the body prior to or during a funeral can reassure mourners that the decedent is at peace, provide a personal opportunity to say goodbye, and allay otherwise possible concerns about the correct content of the coffin. Evidently, for some mourners cemeteries are venues of important social support and assistance toward grief mitigation, through mutual sharing of personal bereavement experiences with other visitors. The concept of permanence of a memorial is quite important, and personal shrines and cenotaphs are particularly significant in the lives of some bereaved people. The personal values identified, include sacredness, cultural values, social support, heritage, and remembrance. The study also identified expressed personal values of cemeteries to those who are recently bereaved. A cemetery value is here defined as any significance or importance of the cemetery to a bereaved person.
