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Publication Restricted Grave affairs: A comparative study of Protestant and Islamic deathcare businesses in Berlin(2025) Lietz, Evelyn; Ülker, Baris; Data Science and Business (BA); Berlin International University of Applied SciencesThis thesis explores Islamic and Protestant deathcare businesses in Berlin, specifically focusing on how their religious denominations influence their services and the struggles that they face. This topic is looked at through a mixed embeddedness theoretical framework which is introduced in the literature review and considers both the institutional guidelines that the businesses must consider, and the resources generated through their community structures. Employing a qualitative methodology, semi structured interviews explore the practices of four funeral homes in Berlin, two aligned with each faith. The findings of these interviews reveal the difference in systemic barriers that Islamic funerary services face when compared with Protestant ones, deriving from differences of traditional Islamic practices with Berlin’s historically Protestant aligned legislation. Previous legal adjustments, such as allowing shroud burials, have helped to bridge this gap. However, persisting challenges such as mandatory waiting times and restricted use remain as systemic barriers for Islamic providers. These businesses make use of their community networks and cater to niche market requirements to remain competitive. In contrast, Protestant and secular service providers can benefit from historical origins, legislative alignment and explore easily accessible business opportunities for broader market access. Ultimately, the following thesis determines that Berlin’s legislature should adapt to the needs of an established segment of its population to ensure equitable access and further integration for minority entrepreneurship. Such a state-level movement towards removing regulatory barriers would foster a more inclusive deathcare sector, reflective of Berlin’s multicultural nature.