With a better understanding of death, Americans would have a better quality of life.
Stake Holders:
Consumers:
Consumers will be offered a cheaper, more practical and/or more sustainable method. The educated customer may consider newer, friendlier options.
The Funeral Industry:
The industry will have to make a choice weather or not to include new methods. They will have to update their processes
Insurance Companies:
These companies will be forced to meet the needs of the consumer. Helping to pay for new processes and methods. Insurance companies may also need to find a new approach beyond instilling fear in their customers.
Families:
Dealing with dead or dying family members can be less stressful and difficult making the process more peaceful for the whole family.
Research Plan:
-The needs of the families.
What do people want out of the experience? Do people want a new approach? How much money are they willing to spend? What do they want to change and what should remain the same? What are people willing to do themselves? What services and choices do they want?
-Laws and regulations.
What are the American laws regarding bodies after death? Are the laws state specific? Why
-Health and Safety
What is potentially harmful? What could be done to ensure safety and well-being?
-Sustainability
What can be done to for the environment? Are traditional cemeteries the best options? What are alternatives to cremation?
Data:
Most of my data will be acquired through interviews. I wish to meet with people in fields ranging from biology, neuroscience and law to psychology, anthropology and history. Surveys will also be important when gathering information. I’m mostly interested in people in America who recently lost a family member. Any information from anyone who has been to a funeral could be valuable as well. Surveys will be used to gather this information.
Tools:
1 comment:
hi jake,
I have often thought that designing for death would be a fascinating subject, and I fully endorse this direction. This is an underexplored area in terms of product design, I would imagine, although there have been some very interesting and important architectural designs for cemeteries, mausoleums, crematoria, etc. You should probably start by exploring magazines that undertakers read, such as American Funeral Director or Pen Loss Insider(!). let me know how I can help as you begin to put together your research.
steven
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