Nobody Likes the Forgotten Guardians of the Departed: A Critical Ethnographic Study on Social Isolation of Ghassals.

This article examines the social isolation and stigmatization of Ghassals—individuals responsible for washing, shrouding, and burying the dead—in Yazd province, Iran, using Carspecken's five-stage critical ethnography approach. Despite the religious obligation of their role in Islamic burial rituals, Ghassals face persistent social stigma, exclusion, and various forms of violence, both from society and sometimes their own families, leading to job dissatisfaction, social discouragement, and mental health challenges. The study highlights how economic pressures, lack of institutional support, and cultural attitudes contribute to their marginalization, emphasizing that modern urbanization and bureaucratic systems have not improved their social status. These findings underscore the need for greater recognition and support for Ghassals within Iranian society and broader discussions on death-related occupations.