Political exchanges in the French funeral market

Abstract

In the context of utilities service markets, the political exchange between private companies and institutional actors constitutes a central mechanism for appropriating and controlling strategic resources. Analysing the singular trajectory of the French funeral market throughout two centuries, this paper describes the shifting forms of arrangements between the undertakers, the Church and the municipalities. For each period, it examines how the alliance of companies with institutional actors was based on their ability to meet political constraints in terms of projects and legitimacy. In return, this alliance gave them access to central resources on the market, be it in terms of property rights, a network of prescribers or material agencements.

Key words:

• funeral
• market
• political exchange
• resources
• agencement