The effects of the tradition of condition on social integration in Bingöl-Genç district

Since the first day of humanity on earth, death has affected every aspect of life. From history to the present day, death and the effects of death are intertwined with human life as well as affecting society. As every branch of science examines death, sociology also examines the social effects of death. With the isolation of the deceased from society, his duties in society have ended. However, the fact that the deceased person affects other people with whom he lives in social life with his absence constitutes a sociological process. In almost every religion, certain rites and rituals are performed after death. The reflections and effects of these rituals are different in each society. In this research, the place and historical background of condolence and mourning practices in Islam and other religions for the purpose of mourning after death and consoling the relatives of the deceased will be discussed in religions and culture. In addition, by looking at the place of condolence in today's society and the research on condolence, the relationship between condolence and social integration is examined in a sociological context. The issue of social integration, which Emile Durkheim frequently mentioned in his theories on the Social Division of Labour and Suicide, occupies an important place in the social effects of religious rituals. The need to conduct this research arose on the possibility that practices such as death, mourning and condolences in our society are religiously based and may have effects on social integration. The study was conducted using phenomenological science design from qualitative research methods. 25 male and 25 female participants over the age of 18 residing in Genç district constitute the study group of the research. Data from the participants were obtained through a semi-structured interview form. With the interview form, findings were obtained about the participants' level of religiosity, how they define condolence, the effects of condolence on social integration along with its social effects, and the effects of other practices in condolence on social integration. According to the findings, all of the participants stated that condolences contribute to social integration. Along with these statements, they stated that some practices in condolence services are unnecessary, while others need to be transformed. In addition to social integration, findings on issues such as social solidarity and social peace were also obtained from the participants. Keywords: Sociology, Social Integration, Condolence, Mourning, Death