Creator/Principal investigator(s)
Curt Dahlgren - Lund University, Department of Theology
Description
The present study analyses 6,699 death notices appearing in Swedish newspapers from 1976 through 1995, and 5,766 death notices in specifically urban newspapers from the same period. The death notices are analysed using the same method as in an earlier study by theologian Per Block (Lund University), making it possible to study changes in the use of text in death notices already from 1945.
The analysis shows that the number of cross symbols decreased markedly, from nearly 100 % of the death notices in 1976 to 39 % of the notices generally in 1995, and to 32 % of the notices in urban newspapers, while the number of alternative symbols increased. Interviews showed that a recurring concern was to choose a symbol that in some way portrayed the identity of the deceased. This may reflect an increased individualism and a reaction against the anonymity perceived in the cross symbol, which for many indicated only that somebody had died.
The text portion of death notices has changed in that the number of notices containing language associated with Christianity decreased from 1945 to 1995. An attempt wa
Language
Swedish
Research principal
Responsible department/unit
Department of Theology
Data contains personal data
No
Unit of analysis
Population
Swedish newspapers 1976-1995
Time Method
Time period(s) investigated
1976 – 1995
Geographic spread
Geographic location: Sweden
Highest geographic unit
Country
Research area
Social behaviour and attitudes, Religion and values
(CESSDA Topic Classification)
Sociology, Religious Studies, Ethnology
(The Swedish standard of fields of research 2011)
Rosengren, K. E. (Ed.) (1999). Från text till data: rapport från KUSS II-projektet om sammanställning av en databas med tidningstexter, Lund: Lund University.
Libris
Dahlgren, Curt (2000). När döden skiljer oss åt: anonymitet och individualisering i dödsannonser 1945-1999. Lund: Teologiska institutionen, Univ.
Libris
ISBN:
91-630-8547-X
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Associated documentation
Description
The dataset consists of a sample of 6699 death notices published in Swedish daily newspapers during the years 1976-1995. The data includes the actual text from the death notices as well as coded data describing the level of religious content, symbols used, the size and political affiliation of the newspaper, etc. The data can be retrieved in MS Excel or SPSS format.Version 1.0
https://doi.org/10.5878/002097
Citation
Download citation
Data format / data structure
Text
Creator/Principal investigator(s)
Curt Dahlgren - Lund University, Department of Theology
Keywords
religious beliefs, religious affiliation, individualism, religious behaviour, obituary, secularisation
Time period(s) investigated
1976 – 1995
Variables
28
Number of individuals/objects
6699
Associated documentation
Description
The dataset consists of a sample of 5767 death notices published in Swedish city newspapers during the years 1976-1995. The data includes the actual text from the death notices as well as coded data describing the level of religious content, symbols used, the size and political affiliation of the newspaper, etc. The data can be retrieved in MS Excel or SPSS format.Version 1.0
https://doi.org/10.5878/002096
Citation
Download citation
Data format / data structure
Text
Creator/Principal investigator(s)
Curt Dahlgren - Lund University, Department of Theology
Keywords
religious beliefs, religious affiliation, individualism, religious behaviour, obituary, secularisation
Time period(s) investigated
1976 – 1995
Variables
28
Number of individuals/objects
5767