Abstract
In the European Union, 47.3 million people are foreign-born, representing diverse religious groups, including 13 million Muslims, over a million Jews, and followers of other world religions and contemporary paganism. While Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, this right is often restricted during critical life stages, especially death. Many minority groups face barriers to conducting funerals according to their traditions, infringing on their religious expression, causing trauma, disrupting grieving processes, and hindering their integration into European society. Despite the importance of migration and death studies, little academic focus has been placed on funeral law and its role in integration. This chapter fills that gap by examining the legal and social realities in Italy, a country shaped by its geographic location, religious history, and demographic makeup, with 8.45% of the population having an immigration background. Data was collected from Rome, Padua, and Palermo through interviews, questionnaires, observations, documents, and focus groups with minority communities and funeral industry professionals. The research compares Italy’s legal and religious contexts with those of the Netherlands and the UK, using insights from migration scholars. The goal is to critically assess religious freedom in Italy within a broader European framework, advocating for stronger European policies supporting religious expression and integration.
Presenters
Giorgio ScaliciResearcher, Psychological, Pedagogical, Physical Exercise and Training Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Funeral, Minorities, Freedom, Religion, Community
