A presentation from the BSA Death, Dying and Bereavement Conference held on 19 November 2012.

1. Remembering Through
Objects:
The loss of a parent in young adulthood in the
Netherlands
Renske Visser, MSc.
Bachelor Cultural Anthropology
Master Medical Anthropology
Presentation BSA Symposium Death and The Family November 19th

2. Contents
 Introduction Participants & Research Question
 Three Categories of objects
 Themes (e.g. non-conspicious dipslays, ‘closeness’)
 Conclusions
 Questions/Comments?

3. Introduction
Participants
 Research conducted in the Netherlands
 8 participants
 7 female, 1 male
 Young Adults (age 20-30)
 Lost parent, either father or mother

4. Introduction
Research Question
 Focus on mementos
 Dutch: ‘iets een plekje geven’
 (translation: to give something a place/space)

5. Three categories of objects
 Things arranged in the
living space
 Things that are
portable/that can be
worn
 Sound/Video

6. Themes
 Non-conspicious displays
 Dialectic between public and private sphere
 Dynamics of displays/ divesting
 ‘Closeness’
 Rebalancing Relationships
 The parental home as a stable core

7. Non-Conspicious Displays

8. Closeness
 Graveyard vs. Tattoo
 Warm vs. Cold
 Sensory Aspects

9. Dialectic Public/Private Sphere
 To show or not to show
 Social Media

10. Example: The case of Tess

11. The case of Tess:
 ‘een kistje vol
sentimenten’
(box filled with sentiments)
 Dynamics in Display
 Closeness
 Rearranging Memories

12. Rebalancing the Family

13. Conclusions
 These young adults use their mementos to sustain an
ongoing relationship with their deceased parent.
 Preference for non-conspicious displays.
 Combination of letting go/holding on.
 Differences between family members and ways of
mourning.

14. Thanks for your attention !!
Questions/Comments?
Do you wish to read my thesis?
Contact: Renskeclaasjevisser@gmail.com
Phone: +31 (0)6 467 45 261