Arrangement of Ritual Space and Creation of “Cleanliness”

The Commercialization of Death in China from the Perspective of Visible Space and the Backstage

Abstract

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the embodied practices and sensory experiences of individuals in death rituals. Building on this trend, this study adopts the approach of “the investigator’s body” to capture the sensory aspects of ritual spaces and examines how “cleanliness” is generated and performed in the increasingly utilized funeral halls in urban areas of contemporary China.
Based on fieldwork conducted in 2020, 2022, and 2023, this paper explores how Y Funeral Service and L Funeral Home employ strategies such as the adjustment of lighting, the choice of decorative colors, the modification of the deceased's appearance, and spatial tactics to separate the visible space from the backstage area. These strategies work to dispel the sense of death-related impurity and meet the evolving expectations of users regarding funeral spaces and ceremonies. The study reveals that the pursuit of “cleanliness” in funeral rituals is not merely a matter of physical perception. Instead, it encompasses a broader emphasis on the deceased's individuality and dignity, particularly as funeral responsibilities shift from families to professional funeral service providers.