EPISODE · Apr 9, 2026 · 33 MIN
S3Ep2:Exploring the Unseen: Queer Spaces, Death Rituals, and Storytelling with Dr. Ian R. Lamond
from In the MEANtime · host Lauren Siegel, Rami Shamseen, Chen Yang, Ryan Yung, Wenjie Cai
In this episode, hosts Dr Lauren Siegel and Dr Wenjie Cai welcome visiting researcher Dr Ian R. Lamond (University of Greenwich, March 2026) to discuss their work on “death spaces,” storytelling, and rituals. Ian describes their book Death and Events and autoethnographic reflections from death-industry practitioners and death scholars, sparked by a case where tourists photographed an Indian funeral. Ian shares their move into celebrancy—focused on LGBTQIA+ ceremonies, gender-affirming renamings, themed weddings/funerals, and non-human companion rituals—and links this to narrative, performance, and research. Ian shares an impactful experience from attending the São Paulo Pride event. connecting this to the need for ongoing queer resistance and legacy. They also outlines creating Leeds rainbow plaques and trails marking queer history, and defines events as ruptures that reveal power and enable change.02:40 Studying Death Stories04:19 Tourists at Funeral06:06 Death Industry Insights07:06 Celebrancy New Career14:03 Rituals and Liminality16:53 Living Funerals Trend17:43 Sao Paulo Pride Story22:09 Queer Legacy Projects28:01 Critical Event Studies32:10 Comedy and FarewellIan's edited book: Death and EventsUpcoming: International Critical Autoethnographic Perspectives on Death
What this episode covers
In this episode, hosts Dr Lauren Siegel and Dr Wenjie Cai welcome visiting researcher Dr Ian R. Lamond (University of Greenwich, March 2026) to discuss their work on “death spaces,” storytelling, and rituals. Ian describes their book Death and Events and autoethnographic reflections from death-industry practitioners and death scholars, sparked by a case where tourists photographed an Indian funeral. Ian shares their move into celebrancy—focused on LGBTQIA+ ceremonies, gender-affirming renamings, themed weddings/funerals, and non-human companion rituals—and links this to narrative, performance, and research. Ian shares an impactful experience from attending the São Paulo Pride event. connecting this to the need for ongoing queer resistance and legacy. They also outlines creating Leeds rainbow plaques and trails marking queer history, and defines events as ruptures that reveal power and enable change.02:40 Studying Death Stories04:19 Tourists at Funeral06:06 Death Industry Insights07:06 Celebrancy New Career14:03 Rituals and Liminality16:53 Living Funerals Trend17:43 Sao Paulo Pride Story22:09 Queer Legacy Projects28:01 Critical Event Studies32:10 Comedy and FarewellIan's edited book: Death and EventsUpcoming: International Critical Autoethnographic Perspectives on Death
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S3Ep2:Exploring the Unseen: Queer Spaces, Death Rituals, and Storytelling with Dr. Ian R. Lamond
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