Religion, Society, and World Relations Faculty of Catholic Theology

Funeral and Commemoration Ceremonies after Major Catastrophes in Secular Society with Church Participation

The study aims to examine this type of disaster ritual using the example of the commemoration ceremony after the rampage in Erfurt and the annual commemoration ceremonies practiced since then.

Duration
2014 - 2017

Funding
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) :
145 350 Euro

Project management

Prof. Dr. Benedikt Kranemann
Holder of the Professorship for Liturgical Studies (Liturgiewissenschaft) (Faculty of Catholic Theology)

Team

Brigitte Benz

After major catastrophes such as the ICE train accident in Eschede or the rampage in Erfurt and Winnenden, central mourning and commemoration ceremonies with church participation have become common in Germany. These celebrations have scarcely been the subject of theological research in Germany, and not at all in Catholic liturgical studies, although they are of great importance for society and the Church. The study aims to examine this type of disaster ritual using the example of the commemoration ceremony after the rampage in Erfurt and the annual commemoration ceremonies practiced since then.