Paper short abstract

Memorates about experiences with spirits of the dead are common among death care workers in Ireland such as undertakers and embalmers. Such narratives reveal a range of belief, disbelief, and hedged positions on the existence of spirits, an afterlife, and the supernatural or numinous in general.

Paper long abstract

In Ireland today those engaged in after death care—particularly undertakers, embalmers, clergy and civil celebrants—are in regular contact with the deceased and the bereaved as they facilitate funerals and last rites. Memorates about spirits of the dead making themselves known or communicating with the living are common in the occupational lore of death workers. Such narratives reveal a range of belief, disbelief, and hedged positions on the existence of spirits, an afterlife, and the supernatural in general. For those with the strongest belief—often based in experience—perhaps better terms for the supernatural would include the “numinous,” "transcendent,” or "supranormal" because for them the so-called supernatural is not above or beyond the natural but simply another facet, however mysterious, of reality.