TALK ABOUT BEING IRISH - DEATH RITUAL AS A CULTURAL FORUM

Death ritual consists of ''cultural talk'' about the meaning of life a nd death. It is important in creating and sustaining a sense of identi ty because it tackles directly the threat to a culture posed by the de mise of its members. Death ritual is culturally and historically speci fic; it varies and changes. This article considers ancient and contemp orary death ritual as expressions of the way in which the people of Ir eland have made sense of themselves in the face of death.