Research project CeMi

CeMi – Cemeteries and Crematoria as public spaces of belonging in Europe: a study of migrant and minority cultural inclusion, exclusion and integration

The project at a glance

  • Start date:
    01 Jan 2019
  • Duration in months:
    36
  • Funding:
    H2020 and FNR
  • Principal Investigator(s):
    Avril MADDRELL (external)

About

This project has examined cemeteries and crematoria ‘gardens’ as public spaces of social inclusion, exclusion and integration, with a particular focus on migrant and Established Minority experience, needs and provision, and how these intersect with established practices in the North West of Europe. Aims 1. To examine whether cemetery and crematoria are meeting the changing and diverse needs of multicultural North-Western Europe 2. To identify and disseminate good practice of cemetery and crematoria provision in North-Western Europe 3. To achieve this in collaboration with all local users, providers, partners, and migrant and minority groups, thereby enhancing shared cross cultural understanding and social inclusion for all Objectives 1. To identify the varied ways in which cemeteries and crematoria are used and experienced by diverse users including Established Minorities, European, and Third Country National migrants 2. To identify the changing cemetery and crematoria needs in multicultural North-Western European societies, and to evaluate the extent to which these are a) understood and b) met by providers 3. To identify a range of creative strategies for fostering public dialogue, engagement, and consultation around diverse cemetery and crematoria uses, needs, and practices 4. To co-produce and disseminate a ’best practice’ toolkit with and for international cemetery and crematoria providers/managers, varied users, and related interest groups 5. To provide scholarly insight into: A. The changing uses of cemeteries and crematoria as public spaces in multicultural post-secular urban areas B. The nature of inclusion/exclusion in them Partners This project is a part of the HERA 2019-2022 project Public Spaces: Culture and Integration in Europe. The following universities are involved: University of Reading, UK University of Groningen, the Netherlands Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands University of the West of England – Bristol Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences University of Luxembourg University College London, UK Institute of Transport Economics at University of Oslo, Norway The Case Studies CeMi has examined 8 large North-Western European municipalities across six countries. Each case study has a similar population (circa 110,000 – 150,000) and significant foreign-born/ ethnic minority populations. They cover a range of economic regions, have socially, culturally and ethnically diverse populations, including long-standing established ethnic minority communities and more recent EU and Third Country National (TCN) migrants. Mixed participatory research methods were utilized to study issues and experiences from multiple perspectives, including cemetery and crematoria providers, planners, civil society organisations and grassroots users. The project has produced academic publications, policy–briefing reports and recommendations (co-produced with project participants and translated into multiple European and TNC languages), research reports, and a travelling exhibition with creative activities. This will provide feedback to municipalities and encourage ongoing dialogue between the providers and the varied users of these important and sensitive public spaces.

Image at the top: © cemi-hera.org

Organisation and Partners

  • Department of Humanities
  • Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE)
  • Institute of History
  • Museum Tot Zover
  • Terebinth Foundation
  • Royal Town Planning Institute
  • European Commission
  • Humanities in the European Research Area (HERA)

Project team

  • Avril MADDRELL, PI, University of Reading, United Kingdom (external)
  • Sonja KMEC, Project member
  • Yasminah BEEBEEJAUN, Project member, University of College London, United Kingdom (external)
  • Christoph JEDAN, Project member, University of Groningen, Netherlands (external)
  • Katie MCCLYMONT, Project member, University of the West of England, UWE Bristol United Kingdom (external)
  • Tanu PRIYA UTENG, Project member, Institute of Transport Economics at Oslo, Norway (external)
  • Eric VENBRUX , Project member, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands (external)
  • Carola WINGREN, Project member, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden (external)
  • Vevila DORNELLES, Project member, University of Reading, United Kingdom (external)
  • Danielle HOUSE, Project member, University of Reading, United Kingdom (external)
  • Helena NORDH, Project member, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden (external)
  • Mariske WESTENDORP, Project member, University of Groningen, Netherlands (external)
  • Marianne KNAPSKOG, Project member, Institute of Transport Economics at Oslo, Norway (external)

Keywords

  • Cemeteries
  • Multicultural Practice
  • North-Western Europe

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