COLIDE: COnnecting the LIving and the DEad through ancient and present cremation practices to create compassionate communities

Cremations occur worldwide and have a long history. A thorough understanding of both past and present cremation practices and rituals is still lacking. Several scholars highlight the need for an interdisciplinary approach that combines archaeology and sociology to strengthen the ability for future caring of individuals and communities, ultimately contributing to the creation of compassionate communities where members experiencing loss are supported. This project responds to this need by broadening the understanding of past and present cremation practices and rituals, comparing them, and identifying how interdisciplinary synergies can help create compassionate communities. At first, ancient cremation sites in the Belgian region, dating from the Metal Age and Roman period, are being investigated through geochemical analyses on cremated human remains to understand who was cremated and how. In the subsequent phase, descriptive and explanatory research on contemporary cremation practices and rituals is carried out on adults to unravel what gives people meaning in death. This leads to a re-evaluation of hypotheses about the past and a comprehensive history of cremation practices in Belgium. In the last phase, archaeology and sociology are combined to reach and create compassionate communities. This project will thus generate innovative theoretical knowledge that enables a better understanding of the who and how of cremation practices and rituals in a compassionate community.