Who Is Interested (or Not) in Church-Administered Lifecycle Rituals?: Modeling Four Dimensions of Baptism, Funeral, and Wedding Choices in Germany.

This empirical-quantitative study systematically examines lifecycle ritual choices, including the reluctance to celebrate the rituals offered by the church. Observations of the reasons for ritual choices in the German Protestant context illustrate important shifts in ritual culture. These are also occurring in other contexts around the world marked by religious individualization and cultural singularization. This study finds that religious fit, family constellation and biography, conventionality, and institutional attachment determine affinity to church lifecycle rituals. Thus, the interest in infant baptism, church wedding, and funeral can be conceptualized as a four-dimensional value-rational action. In addition, personal contact with pastors and other church personnel builds trust and creates opportunities for ritual requests. The study thus deepens our understanding of contemporary decision-making processes in a changing ritual culture. The empirical findings offer implications for professionals to adapt their ritual practices in both ritual design and marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]