Living Funerals as an Emerging Ritual:
Exploring Its Presence and Perceived Meaning Among Malaysian Chinese
Abstract
This study explores how the Malaysian Chinese community perceives and responds to the concept of living funerals, an emerging ritual that has sparked public interest amid shifting attitudes toward death. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as a framework, it investigates how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control shape individuals’ intentions toward this practice. Through semi-structured interviews with 12 Generation Z participants and thematic analysis, the findings reveal that while cultural taboos and limited social support remain challenges, many view living funerals as a meaningful, reflective practice. Personal beliefs and psychological readiness often outweigh external pressures in shaping willingness to consider such rituals. This research offers new insights into death-related behaviours and beliefs in a multicultural context.
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