Conversations on death and dying: exploring performance as a prompt.

McCormick, Sheila

Abstract

BackgroundDeath is inevitable, yet for some, conversations around death remain difficult. The stigmatisation of death amongst some cultures has a negative impact with studies showing societies least likely to discuss end of life openly remain the lowest ranked in terms of end-of-life care quality. Out of this understanding have come several socially engaged projects (e.g. Death Cafes, The Conversation Project, Before I Die Festivals) developed to encourage engagement with the subject.ObjectiveIn this article I ask, can autobiographical performance prompt conversations on death and dying? To answer the research question, I examine the socially engaged Death, Dinner, and Performance project, and analyse the effectiveness of the performance/dramaturgical methodology developed in the project to encourage participant engagement with the difficult subjects of death and dying.DesignI look specifically at the use of autobiographical performance strategies in the Death, Dinner, and Performance project and explore the outcomes associated with the adaptation of those strategies (particularly regarding relationality in a socially engaged context) in conversations between participants on death, dying and bereavement.MethodThe project adopted a mixed methodology that engaged both Practice as Research (PaR) and qualitative research strategies.ResultsPaR reflection and analysis, along with qualitative coding of participant responses allowed an inductive, thematic analysis that highlighted several recurring themes. These are analysed and discussed under two categories in the Analysis and results section at the end of this paper: firstly, in relation to recurring themes in the participants' discussion around the subject of death and dying, and secondly, in relation to the socially engaged strategy (commensality and use of autobiographical performance) used to encourage that discussion.

Citation

McCormick, S. (2023). Conversations on death and dying: exploring performance as a prompt. Palliative Care and Social Practice, 17, 26323524231209059. https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524231209059

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 15, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 1, 2023
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 21, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 1, 2023
• Journal: Palliative care and social practice
• Print ISSN: 2632-3524
• Electronic ISSN: 2632-3524
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Pages: 26323524231209059
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/26323524231209059
• Keywords: Performance, Death, Palliative care, Autobiography, Dying
• PMID: 37927404