Death and Personal History: Strategies of Identity Preservation

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Abstract
A major concern of those who study bereavement and survivorship is the reintegration of survivors into society. Implicit in this research is the notion that emotional attachment of survivor to deceased may continue for long periods of time after separation through death. This paper examines how the emotional attachment of survivor to deceased is socially accomplished. Before they die, people interpret and apportion cues to their personal identities for those who will survive. Conversely, survivors are left with images, materials, objects, and wishes of the deceased which must be sorted and selectively preserved. I analyze the actions of both parties as strategies of identity preservation.

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