To die is the only thing that is guaranteed to happen in everyone’s life, which means that everyone will need to be buried in some way. In Sweden, there are only two available burial methods according to the law: coffin burial and cremation, both of which cause a negative environmental impact - even though there are burial methods that are more environmentally friendly. Resomation and Natural Organic Reduction do not cause the same environmental hazards as traditional methods do since they handle the environmentally harmful emissions under more controlled conditions. This work is being conducted to examine what the reception is of the new burial methods, as well as what factors influence the choice. The study was conducted using a descriptive questionnaire designed with the help of a literature review. The focus of the questionnaire was on the reception, level of knowledge and factors influencing choices between new and traditional burial methods among residents in Halland and was analyzed by using the Goal-framing theory. Respondents in the survey were found to be positively inclined and ready for the introduction of the new methods in Sweden. What primarily influences how they think and act regarding burial methods is Gain Goal, as price proves to be highly significant in the choice of burial methods; but also Hedonic Goal, as burial methods are a sensitive subject where one wishes for a dignified and proper closure. Normative Goal plays the least role according to respondents’ answers; they do not see the environment as an important aspect in the issue of burial methods. / Att dö är det enda som garanterat kommer att ske i varje människas liv vilket innebär att alla kommer att behöva begravas på något sätt. I Sverige finns det bara två tillgängliga begravningsmetoder enligt lag; kistbegravning och kremering, som dessutom medför en negativ miljöpåverkan – trots att det finns begravningsmetoder som är mer miljövänliga. Resomation och Natural Organic Reduction orsakar inte samma miljöfaror som de traditionella metoder gör då man under mer kontrollerade förhållanden hanterar de miljöfarliga utsläppen. Detta arbete utförs i syfte av att undersöka hur mottagandet av de nya begravningsmetoderna är samt vilka faktorer som påverkar valet. Studien har genomförts med en beskrivande enkätundersökning som har utformats med hjälp av en litteraturstudie. Enkätens fokus låg på mottagandet, kunskapsnivån samt faktorer som styr val kring nya och traditionella begravningsmetoder hos boende i Halland och analyserades utifrån Goal-framing theory. Respondenterna i enkäten visade sig vara positivt inställda och redo för att de nya metoderna introduceras i Sverige. Det som främst styr hur de tänker och agerar kring begravningsmetoder är Gain Goal då priset visar sig vara högst väsentligt vid val; men även Hedonic Goal då begravningsmetoder är ett känsligt ämne där man önskar att ett värdigt och bra avslut sker. Normative Goal spelar minst roll ur respondenternas svar, man ser inte miljö som en viktig aspekt i frågan om begravningsmetoder.

In contemporary North America, death is contained within a network of cemeteries, crematoria and funeral homes. Death-space and its associative funeral rituals are both sacred and abject resulting in marginalization that adversely affects how the living understand their mortality. Our perception of death influences our place in the world and funeral ritual facilitates our departure from it. In most cities, the funeral home houses this liminal ritual, while also providing the clinical handling and processing of the deceased body. Investigation of the funeral home and its role within the city addresses how architecture can influence cultural views on death. Through the funeral home there is an opportunity to balance the seemingly opposing narratives of the living and the deceased by bringing them together for the funeral. In the City of Toronto, the density of its diverse neighbourhoods is not reflected by a proportionate number of local funeral homes. This thesis proposes a non-denominational space for funeral ritual and cremation within the dense St. Lawrence Neighbourhood. The placement of the Funeral Centre satisfies the practical requirements of this growing community, while the adjacency to the St. Lawrence Market juxtaposes the vibrancy of the ordinary and the solemnity of the sacred. This proposal extends into a network for the scattering of ashes throughout the city aiming to reconnect people to the realities of their existence.

In contemporary North America, death is contained within a network of cemeteries, crematoria and funeral homes. Death-space and its associative funeral rituals are both sacred and abject resulting in marginalization that adversely affects how the living understand their mortality. Our perception of death influences our place in the world and funeral ritual facilitates our departure from it. In most cities, the funeral home houses this liminal ritual, while also providing the clinical handling and processing of the deceased body. Investigation of the funeral home and its role within the city addresses how architecture can influence cultural views on death. Through the funeral home there is an opportunity to balance the seemingly opposing narratives of the living and the deceased by bringing them together for the funeral. In the City of Toronto, the density of its diverse neighbourhoods is not reflected by a proportionate number of local funeral homes. This thesis proposes a non-denominational space for funeral ritual and cremation within the dense St. Lawrence Neighbourhood. The placement of the Funeral Centre satisfies the practical requirements of this growing community, while the adjacency to the St. Lawrence Market juxtaposes the vibrancy of the ordinary and the solemnity of the sacred. This proposal extends into a network for the scattering of ashes throughout the city aiming to reconnect people to the realities of their existence.