Death is Not What It Used to Be

The way societies confront death has profoundly changed, moving from an era dominated by the terror of infectious diseases to a more subdued and perhaps less public approach to mortality. This evolution is marked by a shift in how human remains are handled and how collective grief is expressed.

Historically, the burial of individuals was often a public spectacle, with communities gathering in spaces that held centuries of historical significance, symbolizing the importance of the deceased. This communal mourning has gradually given way to more private and frugal methods of managing remains. The article suggests this change reflects a broader societal transformation in how life and death are perceived.

The author, Íñigo Lejarza, a psychology graduate and MBA holder with a background in data analysis and market research, posits that the modern approach to death is a departure from the past. The piece implies that this transformation is not just about logistics but also about a fundamental shift in cultural attitudes towards mortality and remembrance.