The Routledge Handbook of Museums, Heritage, and Death

The Routledge Handbook of Museums, Heritage, and Death provides a comprehensive examination of death, dying and human remains in museums and heritage sites around the world.

Presenting a diverse range of contributions from scholars, practitioners and artists, the volume reminds us that death and the dead body are omnipresent in museum and heritage spaces. Chapters appraise collection practices and their historical context, present global perspectives and potential resolutions, and suggest how death and dying should be presented to the public. Acknowledging that professionals in the galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) fields are engaging in vital discussions about repatriation and anti-colonialist narratives, the book includes reflections on a variety of deathscapes that are at the forefront of the debate. Taking a multivocal approach, the Handbook provides a foundation for debate, as well as a reference for how the dead are treated within the public arena. Most importantly, perhaps, the volume highlights best practice and calls for more ethical frameworks and strategies for collaboration, particularly with descendant communities.

The Routledge Handbook of Museums, Heritage, and Death will be useful to all individuals working with, studying and interested in curation and exhibition at museums and heritage sites around the world. It will be of particular interest to those working in the fields of heritage, museum studies, death studies, archaeology, anthropology, sociology and history.