Death in Immanent Frames: The Subtle Language of Dying, Funerals and the Afterlife in Nordic Cinema

Death is a prominent theme in many Nordic films. This article takes a closer look at films with a focus on losing a loved one or facing one’s own death. The article studies how death is imagined, ritualized and framed, as well as what insights into contemporary views on death the films can be argued to capture. Four themes are explored: 1) expressed beliefs about what happens when one dies, 2) death rituals, 3) experiences of dead loved ones and 4) representations of afterlives. The findings are related to Charles Taylor’s work on the immanent frame. It is argued that the general framework of the films is secular, even when glimpses of an afterlife are provided. Something happens when death is brought up which calls for or indicates that something more is needed. However, what this “more” is, is largely left open for the viewer to decide.