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 Stories

04:19 Tourists at Funeral

06:06 Death Industry Insights

07:06 Celebrancy New Career

14:03 Rituals and Liminality

16:53 Living Funerals Trend

17:43 Sao Paulo Pride Story

22:09 Queer Legacy Projects

28:01 Critical Event Studies

32:10 Comedy and Farewell

Ian's edited book: Death and Events

Upcoming: International Critical Autoethnographic Perspectives on Death