This is heaven

"THIS IS HEAVEN" is an ongoing project that aims to shed light on the world of funerals, treating death not as a heavy, fearful event but as a routine part of life.

For most of us, the idea of touching or even being near a dead body can be frightening. But what is it like for those who have made this their profession? How do these individuals, who work in a field often shrouded in taboo, perceive death? What insights do they have from seeing and handling death on a regular basis?

To answer these questions, I contacted and started working with a funeral home in Lisbon. It was founded by the father of the current owners, a brother and a sister. When I met them I knew I was on  the right path to pursue my vision, because they told me that when they were young it was common for them to take some naps on coffins during the afternoon  school breaks. That image stood in my head as a metaphor for what I wanted to the in this project. 

The funerary graciously allowed me to document their daily work, and over the course of five months, I captured their routines and interactions everyday. 

“Morrer é so não não ser visto” 

"To die is only not to be seen," wrote the Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa, and this quote resonated with me throughout the project. The most profound lesson I learned during these months was that those guys help people during the most difficult time of their lives.  They handle everything to the point that if you wish, you can almost pretend that nothing happened - they can shield you entirely from the reality of death.  Yet, despite the care and respect their profession demands, it is often met with prejudice.

I hope that this project helps to unveil the world of funerary homes and this professional area, that is crucial for ensuring a respectful farewell to loved ones and is sometimes unfairly stigmatised, with many overlooking the emotional strength, empathy, and dedication it requires. Their role is essential in honouring the cycle of life and offering  comfort during grief.