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The number of funerals conducted under the auspices of the Church of Sweden, as well as the attendance at Church of Sweden funerals, has steadily declined since the turn of the millennium, including among members of the Church of Sweden. Drawing on current statistics and interviews with parish staff and funeral directors, this article highlights these changes and discusses the following aspects which we argue are crucial: the opportunity for individual customization of funeral services and the relationship to the Church of Sweden. Insights from four parishes/dioceses reveal both similarities and differences, emphasizing the geographical context’s influence on funeral customs. The post-secular condition presents both opportunities and challenges for traditional religious institutions such as the Church of Sweden to navigate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to show how criticalfeminist studies can improve research on funerals by contributing to a more complex understanding of ritualization and how it can be explored. The article discusses central issues within critical-feminist theory in relation to previous studies of funerals in Sweden and presents theoretical approaches that may improve the field of funeral studies. Intersectionality, queer phenomenology and ritual practice theory are introduced as examples of approaches that might help the researcher deal with questions of representation in research, rejection of othering and application of non-essentialism - central issues in criticalfeminist theory. Critical-feminist studies may, for example, uncover intersections of power relations in the ritual field, reveal experiences of inclusion/exclusion and contribute to a relational and dynamic understanding of ritual practice. Thereby, they provide complex knowledge of funerals, essential for understanding their functions for individuals and societies in times of ritual change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]