Mezarlıkta Statü, Kimlik, Cinsiyet: Gölbaşı Mezarlığı Üzerine Nitel Bir Çalışma

This study was conducted to reveal that cemeteries are not only physical spaces after death, but also sociological areas where status, identity and gender roles in the social structure are reflected. The study examined the relationship between cemetery policies, burial services and funeral rituals implemented in Ankara Gölbaşı Cemetery and the social and economic structure. There is no gender discrimination in grave allocation procedures in Gölbaşı Cemetery, however, some gender-based discrimination continues in services such as funeral washing due to religious and cultural norms. It was also determined that individuals’ occupational and identity indicators are frequently included on gravestones, thus making social roles in life visible after death. The Gölbaşı Cemetery example shows that despite the adoption of modern egalitarian approaches in cemetery services, social status, identity and gender differences continue to exist implicitly. The article has shown that examining cemeteries from a sociological perspective makes significant contributions to the analysis of social structure.