Call for Book Chapter Proposals

Book title:

Music, Spirituality, Death and Loss: Contemporary perspectives from a crisis-driven world

Editors:

Amira Ehrlich, Israel

June Boyce Tillman, United Kingdom

Giorgos Tsiris, United Kingdom

Overview

We are currently inviting chapter proposals for a new interdisciplinary book publication exploring the relationship between music and spirituality when facing death, dying and loss. This call addresses the urgent need for inquiry into the interplay between music, spirituality, and well-being amid global crises, including pandemics, armed conflicts, and ecological disasters.

Music has long been a medium for processing grief and exploring existential questions, particularly in periods of personal and/or social disruption. The early 2020s have revealed a heightened collective awareness of mortality and vulnerability, calling for meaningful, empathetic approaches in music practice and research. This publication aims to capture diverse scholarly perspectives and practitioner insights that illuminate the transformative power of music in the face of change, loss and grief.

Rationale

This book will feature as part of the Music and Spirituality series published by Peter Lang. The rationale of this book is underpinned by five key areas of consideration:

Death and dying in a crisis-driven world: Contemporary global crises, including pandemics and geopolitical conflicts, have intensified experiences of grief on an unprecedented scale. These challenges have reshaped cultural rituals and underscored the need for communal healing mechanisms. Music, through its capacity to mediate between personal and collective mourning, has emerged as a crucial resource for navigating loss.

Evolution of music in death rituals: Over the past decades, sociocultural, healthcare and theological shifts have diversified the ways music functions in contexts of death and dying. From live streamed funerals to personalized playlists for palliative care, musical practices are evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly globalized and digitalized society. This publication seeks to document and critically examine such developments.

Spirituality and existential inquiry: Music often fosters transcendental experiences, facilitating connections to existential and metaphysical dimensions of human life. By exploring its role in providing solace, creating sacred spaces, and enabling dialogue about mortality, this publication aims to deepen understanding of music as a medium for existential reflection and healing.

Interdisciplinary approaches: The multifaceted nature of music in death-related contexts invites diverse methodologies, from ethnomusicology and theology to psychology and medical humanities. Contributions that cross disciplinary boundaries will enrich our understanding of music’s potential to explore human experiences of music, grief and remembrance.

Inclusivity and practice-based perspectives: Beyond academia, practitioners—such as music therapists, palliative care practitioners, and spiritual leaders—are integral to shaping and implementing music’s role in end-of-life care. This call encourages the inclusion of practice-based insights to ensure the volume’s relevance to both theoretical inquiry and practical application.

Possible Themes

Chapter proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Music’s role in processing grief and trauma.

• Cross-cultural understandings of musical mourning practices in relation to global crises.

• Transformations in music and death rituals, including the impact of digital technologies.

• Theological perspectives on music and afterlife beliefs.

• Music and spirituality in palliative and end-of-life care settings.

• Ethical considerations in using music during end-of-life care.

• Research and practice innovations in music for loss and bereavement.

• Music, spirituality and loss in war zones and disaster-stricken regions.

Suggested Disciplines and Practitioners

We encourage contributions from practitioners and scholars from diverse fields including: music therapy, palliative care, musicology, ethnomusicology, community music, religious studies, theology, sociology, anthropology, psychology, public health, and digital humanities.

Submission Guidelines

We invite chapter proposals originating from diverse professional, disciplinary, cultural and spiritual spaces. In addition to standard chapters, we welcome creative contributions (e.g., poems, music compositions and improvisations). Word limit for standard chapters is 7000 words and for creative contributions is max 2000 words.

Chapter proposals should be submitted by 15th May 2025 via email to amiraehrlich@gmail.com

Submissions should include:

- Proposed chapter title

- Abstract (700–900 words, including references).

- Keywords (3-5keywords).

- Author(s)biography (maximum 75 words per biography).

Each submission will undergo a double anonymous peer review.

Key dates:

15th May 2025 Chapter proposal submission deadline

30th June 2025Proposal review outcomes

30th December2025 Full chapter submission

January – March 2026 Review and revisions

May 2026 – Publication