The process of secularization and the profound cultural and sociological changes of recent decades have strengthened the private dimension of mourning, distancing people from cemeteries and traditional forms of burial. What do Italians really think about cemeteries and funeral services? What role do they play in our society today, and what role might they have in the near future?
A first answer comes from the survey on contemporary Italian practices of farewell, burial, memory, and cemeteries, commissioned by Utilitalia-SEFIT and conducted by Orme – the Observatory for Research on Death and Funeral Practices – based at the Cattaneo Institute in Bologna.
The study collected detailed data on perceptions, personal experiences, and beliefs related to cemeteries, highlighting significant differences across geographical areas and population groups. Elements of discontinuity and signs of change emerge in practices and habits; on the other hand, traditional conceptions and deeply rooted values persist.
These findings offer potentially valuable insights for understanding public expectations and for adapting cemetery management to the needs of a rapidly changing society.

Speakers:

• Asher Colombo, Professor of Sociology at the University of Bologna and President of the Cattaneo Institute
• Antonio Dieni, Expert in cemetery policies – Past General Director of public cemetery services company
• Valeria Leotta, Funeral Service Manager at Utilitalia
• Renata Santoro, Head of Cemetery Promotion and Enhancement, City of Turin, and Coordinator of the Utilitalia-SEFIT Cemetery Enhancement Working Group
• Joseph Tassone, Head of Funeral Services, Municipality of Trento, and Coordinator of the Utilitalia-SEFIT Cemeteries Working Group