*Cet épisode est bilingue * This episode is bilingual in French and English
Do you know about the business of death here in Quebec? Connaissez-vous la procedure, qui vous devez contactez apres la mort de quelqu'un. Connaissez vous vos droits en tant que parenté de la personne qui est morte. I had no idea about the legislation of death until Marie-Pier Beausejour sat down with me to explain the current law around death & funerals; what happens to the body right after death and the choices that are available to us here in Quebec. Marie-Pier is a 2nd year PhD student in humanities and her fields are anthropology, sociology and public health...comme elle l'explique si bien: “Je me questionne, sur ce que veut dire la mise à distance du corps, dans un contexte de sécularisation, médicalisation, professionalisation et bureaucratisation, de construire une relation avec le cadavre dans la mesure où les soins ont été déplacés des familles aux industries funéraires et médecins''. We tend to shy away from the subject of death let alone the logistics of it so it was surprisingly refreshing to speak with Marie-Pier who is so curious, inquisitive and who doesn't burrow away from the mess of death. In fact thanks to Marie-Pier I have been reflecting on how we can make death and after death more just, inclusive and diverse. I think Marie-Pier is one of the thought leaders of this so hopefully we will have her back on post phD for more, but for now, this is an extremely educational and interesting interview and I hope it gets you thinking and challenging the status quo.
Marie-Pier is also an extremely resourceful person for articles and media on death and dying. Here are some resources if you would like to explore this subject more:
Article: Trop Jeune pour voir mourir maman & The Uses and enchantments in American Home Funerals / en Français
Documentary to watch: How to die in Oregon
Podcast: Criminal ep. 17 - Final Exit