Developing a scale to measure social dynamics in funeral ceremonies: A mixed methods approach

Understanding the complex social behaviors exhibited during funeral ceremonies is essential for grasping the emotional and communal functions of grief rituals. The research employed a sequential exploratory mixed methods study approach. In the qualitative phase, we examined participants' behaviors in funeral ceremonies using ethnographic methods. Data collection involved participant observation and interviews (N = 21), analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. Through thematic analysis, we identified six components - sympathizers, empathizers, altruistic, spectators (indifferent), exchangers, and selfish individuals - categorized into two overarching groups: importance-givers and reluctant individuals. In the quantitative phase, the Funeral Participation Behavior Scale was developed, and we assessed the impact of qualitative phase variables using confirmatory factor analysis in SMART-PLS software (N = 381). Validity was confirmed through face, content, and structural validity, and reliability was established through factor loadings, Cronbach's alpha, and composite reliability. The FPBS offers a reliable framework for studying funeral practices and behaviors.