The Sociology of Death

This thesis deals with the transformation of burial ritual in czech society in modern and postmodern times. First part outlines the evolution of burials considering the shift in relationship between confessions in modern society. Next part is focused on the influence of deviation from catholicism viewed as resistance which was connected with enforcement of cremation. Following chapters address changes related to spreading atheism and also reflect changes in political atmosphere and development of technology. The theoretical part is suplemented by empirical qualitative research showing the forms of burials in last fifty years in town and in the country. The aim of this thesis is to uncover the change the ritual has undergone, his current forms and which of the formative processes was crucial for it. Key words: secularisation, transformation, modernisation, confession, cremation, the Church, ritual, graveyar