About the Study
1. What is the purpose of the study?
My aim is to find out how mourning rituals in Ireland have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. I will look at how new technology tools changed people’s experiences of mourning and explore whether mourning has been a social or cultural factor that influenced health for individuals and communities during and after the pandemic. This research will serve to help us understand modern mourning practices in Ireland and the impact of COVID-19 and technology.
I am interested in understanding the experiences of mourning before and during COVID-19 from 2020-2022, including the use of technology such as online condolence books, live-streamed funerals, or other similar tools used in mourning.
You do not need to be skilled or knowledgeable in technology. I want perspectives from all individuals in Ireland. I am recruiting members of the general public who are people over 50 years old that have experienced both traditional mourning practices and any changes that happened during COVID-19. I am also recruiting stakeholders who are individuals of different professional backgrounds, including funeral directors, undertakers, religious leaders, technology providers, bereavement professionals, and policymakers within the island of Ireland.
I expect the study to last for 36 months, from data collection to conclusion. However, participation from each participant will include 1-3 interviews across a span of 4-6 weeks.
2. Who is conducting the research?
This research project is being conducted by Shannon Mora, a PhD researcher in the Department of Digital Humanities and Culture in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, Trinity College Dublin. The project forms part of my doctoral research and the project is expected to last until 31 March 2027.
My research on RIP.ie was published on RTÉ Brainstorm and discussed on shows like RTÉ Drivetime, Prime Time and Ireland AM.
In 2024, I earned a Master of Philosophy in Digital Humanities and Culture from Trinity College Dublin, where I conducted research on RIP.ie during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. Previously, I earned a Master of Public Health in Policy and Ethics, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences. I hold board certification in public health from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (U.S.) and have over 15 years of experience working in project and programme management and public health.
Take Part in the Study
Study Recruitment Information for the General Public
1. What is the purpose of the study?
I am conducting a study about how mourning rituals in Ireland changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. I especially want to understand how new technology tools (for example, online condolence books or live-streamed funerals) affected these rituals and influenced public health.
This research project is being conducted by Shannon Mora, a PhD researcher in the Department of Digital Humanities and Culture in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, Trinity College Dublin. The project forms part of my doctoral research and is expected to last until 31 March 2027. However, participation from each participant will include 3 interview sessions across a span of 4-6 weeks.
2. Who Can Participate?
For this study, I am recruiting two groups of people, stakeholders and the general public. For the general public group, I am recruiting people over 50 years old who have experienced both traditional mourning practices and any changes that happened during COVID-19. I would like to interview those who have had at least one bereavement both before COVID-19 and during COVID-19 restrictions from 2020 to 2022. You do not need to be skilled or knowledgeable in technology.
Participants must be:
- Aged 50 years old or older
- Live on the island of Ireland
- Have experienced a bereavement before the COVID-19 pandemic (before 2020)
- Have experienced a bereavement during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions (2020-2022)
3. What Does the Study Involve?
I will use two different approaches in this study: Interviews and Observation.
Interviews
You will be invited to do three interviews about your experiences of mourning. I want to hear how you felt about changes in mourning, including any new technology tools you used (or did not use), and how these changes may have affected your health and well-being. I will record the interviews using an audio recorder. Each participant will be asked to complete a series of three separate interviews, including a pre-interview and post-interview session.
Observation
During the third interview session, I will also ask to observe how you use technology, such as online condolences or tributes.
If you are interested in participating or just want to ask a question, please complete the contact form.
For additional information, please review the information leaflet and the informed consent forms below.
Study Recruitment Information for Stakeholders
1. About the Study
I am interested in understanding the experiences of mourning before and during COVID-19 from 2020-2022, including the use of technology such as online condolence books, live-streamed funerals, or other similar tools used in mourning.
This research is being conducted by Shannon Mora, a PhD researcher in the Department of Digital Humanities and Culture in the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies, Trinity College Dublin. The project forms part of my doctoral research and is expected to last until 31 March 2027. However, participation from each participant will include 1 interview session.
2. Who Can Participate?
You do not need to be skilled or knowledgeable in technology. For this study, I am recruiting two groups of people, stakeholders and the general public. For the stakeholder group, I am looking for perspectives from individuals of different professional backgrounds across the island of Ireland, including:
- Funeral Directors or Undertakers
- Religious Leaders
- Technology Providers
- Bereavement Professionals
- Policymakers
- Other professions directly involved in mourning practices
3. What Does the Study Involve?
You will be invited to do an interview about your professional experiences related to mourning. I want to hear how you felt about changes in mourning, including any new technology tools being used. I will record the interviews using an audio recorder.
I am inviting you to take part in a study about how mourning rituals in Ireland changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. I especially want to understand how new technology tools (for example, online condolence books or live-streamed funerals) affected these rituals and influenced public health. Participation is voluntary.
If you are interested in participating or just want to ask a question, please complete the contact form.
For additional information, please review the information leaflet and the informed consent forms below.
Contact Us
If you are interested in participating or have additional questions, please complete our contact form.