Emic–Etic Perspectives on Southeast Asian Cultural Attitudes Surrounding Human Remains
Issued Date
2026-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
1047482X
eISSN
10991212
DOI
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105026870494
Journal Title
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (2026)
Suggested Citation
Haque T., Anadon E., Choy K., Chu E.N., Heo C., Koesbardiati T., Lee W.S., Liu C.H., Murti D., Nhoem S., Rattanachet P., Saraka E., Tantuico K., Tran M., Villaluz S., Yeo W., Wangthongchaicharoen N., Yukyi N., Yuwono P., Rivera M. Emic–Etic Perspectives on Southeast Asian Cultural Attitudes Surrounding Human Remains. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (2026). doi:10.1002/oa.70065 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/114655
Title
Emic–Etic Perspectives on Southeast Asian Cultural Attitudes Surrounding Human Remains
Author's Affiliation
National University of Singapore
The University of Hong Kong
Universiti Teknologi MARA
James Cook University
Universitas Airlangga
Texas State University
Hasanuddin University
Siriraj Hospital
California State University, Northridge
Southern Cross University
University of the Philippines Diliman
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Medicine
Silpakorn University
University of the Philippines Manila, College of Arts and Sciences
Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences
SNA International
International Committee of the Red Cross
The University of Hong Kong
Universiti Teknologi MARA
James Cook University
Universitas Airlangga
Texas State University
Hasanuddin University
Siriraj Hospital
California State University, Northridge
Southern Cross University
University of the Philippines Diliman
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Medicine
Silpakorn University
University of the Philippines Manila, College of Arts and Sciences
Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences
SNA International
International Committee of the Red Cross
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Community ethics and cultural attitudes vary across contexts in which professionals work with human remains. Southeast Asia is home to millions; thus, there are challenges when attempting to understand and articulate the diversity in cultures, ideologies, and ethics surrounding the dead. Our semi-autoethnographic and qualitative research addresses these challenges through a critical self-examination of how we conduct our work with human remains, engaging with diverse communities around us. Our approach combines insights from osteologists, which provide both culturally informed personal perspectives (emic) and professional views of ethical issues surrounding work with human remains (etic). Thematic analysis returned three main themes: (a) we in Southeast Asia, who work directly with the dead, are influenced heavily by the social and ideological norms we operate within; (b) community attitudes towards our professions are diverse and interesting to consider in and of themselves; (c) it is important to put efforts into public engagement on science and ethics, particularly with local community members and government authorities, and influence others in society to adopt or further a dynamic, non-monolithic culture of respect towards human remains. We hope this study adds to the growing literature on ethics in the biological, archaeological, and forensic sciences.