The project is particularly relevant right now because the first generation of migrants to various western European countries is rapidly ageing, ^[1] leading to an increase in deaths within migrant populations.

The death of a loved one is a difficult time for any family. Yet for migrant-origin families the issues may be particularly complex, due to their ties and obligations to relatives and friends in other parts of the world.

In addition to these family aspects, there may be tensions within and between communities regarding funerals. For example, differences of opinion may exist within migrant-origin communities over how to adapt funeral rituals to fit with the laws in the country of settlement. Furthermore, the need for new cemetery space for religious minorities in places where land is scarce may lead to tensions between migrant communities and neighbouring populations.

In order to better manage these tensions, one of the aims of the research is to create guidance documents for civil servants, local officials and other stakeholders so that their services can be more inclusive of different groups in society. The guidance will also give examples of good practice in this area.

Evidence from the project will be conveyed to MPs and MSPs with the aim of improving legislation on burial and cremation, much of which dates from the mid-19th century.

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[1] Rallu (2016) Projections of Older Immigrants in France, 2008–2028, Population, Space and Place http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/psp.2012/full