chaosisapony
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,477
Jun 26, 2014 3:27:53 GMT
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Post by chaosisapony on Oct 10, 2014 0:41:30 GMT
Have any of the other Refupeas read this book? It is written by Caitlin Doughty and it's about her time spent in her first job as a crematory operator. It is fascinating, graphic, oddly humorous, and really well written. Never in my life did I think I would read a book like this. I am everything the author states she doesn't like about the modern American culture about death. I am scared of it, like to pretend it doesn't exist, and the very idea of being in the same room as a body makes me want to hyperventilate. So when a Facebook friend of mine put up the link to it on Amazon last weekend along with her recommendation I really didn't think I would be able to read it. Certainly not the whole thing. So I just started with the free sample. But it was really compelling and I read the whole thing in a day and a half. My mind is still spinning on a lot of things but I am oddly comforted by hearing a true account of what happens in funeral homes. Taking the unknown out of the death business would be good for us as a society, I think. I also really enjoyed the small tidbits that were in each chapter about how other cultures on earth handle death. Here is a link for anyone that is interested, and if you've read the book I would love to hear what you thought! www.amazon.com/Smoke-Gets-Your-Eyes-Crematory-ebook/dp/B00J8R3MYW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412901216&sr=1-1&keywords=smoke+gets+in+your+eyes
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Oct 10, 2014 0:48:00 GMT
I haven't read that, but it sounds like a book that's right up my alley. I primarily read nonfiction, and I love learning new things. Especially those things that are almost secret in a way. It's a chance to go through a back door in a way. I'll check it out for sure.
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,573
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Oct 10, 2014 0:58:51 GMT
That whole industry fascinates me. Thanks for the recommendation!
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,259
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Oct 10, 2014 2:16:04 GMT
Thanks for the recommendation. I put it on my wish list.
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Post by lightetc on Oct 10, 2014 12:29:59 GMT
Thanks-sounds like something interesting to take me outside my fiction comfort zone
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,576
Location: In the leaves and rain.
Jun 25, 2014 19:57:33 GMT
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Post by stittsygirl on Oct 10, 2014 12:34:40 GMT
This sounds good. My oldest daughter is thinking of going into mortuary services, I bet she'd love this, or... it would kill her interest in making it a career .
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Post by turangaleela on Oct 10, 2014 12:35:07 GMT
I've read a handful of books about the funeral industry (I wanted to go to school for this) and there are some really good ones. Thomas Lynch, a FD in Michigan, is a poet who was the focus of a PBS show that really moved me. His book is very good.
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Post by merry27 on Oct 10, 2014 14:16:31 GMT
Thanks for the recommendation! Have you ever read Stiff by Mary Roach? It is about cadavers and very interesting.
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Post by papersilly on Oct 10, 2014 17:00:15 GMT
thanks for the recommendation. I started reading the free part and I think I will buy the e-book.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Oct 10, 2014 17:11:11 GMT
She was on Fresh Air on Wednesday and I thought she was fascinating. I like how she advocates for embalming-free, casket-free burials, and her thoughtful perspectives about family members taking care of the body after the person dies. It's definitely on my to-read list.
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Post by flanz on Oct 10, 2014 17:13:35 GMT
She was on Fresh Air on Wednesday and I thought she was fascinating. I like how she advocates for embalming-free, casket-free burials, and her thoughtful perspectives about family members taking care of the body after the person dies. It's definitely on my to-read list. I caught a portion of her segment and was impressed. Thanks for the rec, I think I will put it on my list!
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Post by compwalla on Oct 10, 2014 17:33:50 GMT
She also has a video series on youtube where she answers questions about the death industry. It's terrific. Ask a Mortician
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Post by lumo on Oct 10, 2014 17:49:01 GMT
She was on Fresh Air on Wednesday and I thought she was fascinating. I like how she advocates for embalming-free, casket-free burials, and her thoughtful perspectives about family members taking care of the body after the person dies. It's definitely on my to-read list. I heard part of the show as well, and found it really interesting. My dad is a funeral director, so it's something I've been around my whole life, and I like hearing different perspectives. I've added her book to my list as well
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,573
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Oct 10, 2014 17:57:36 GMT
I started it last night. Enjoying it so far. She's quirky.
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,810
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Oct 10, 2014 18:35:08 GMT
I was going to suggest the Mary Roach book too! It was a really interesting read.
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Post by turangaleela on Oct 10, 2014 19:48:26 GMT
Thanks for the recommendation! Have you ever read Stiff by Mary Roach? It is about cadavers and very interesting. Yes, loved this book!
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Post by marzbar71 on Oct 10, 2014 19:50:56 GMT
Thanks for the recommendation. My grandfather was a mortician and my dad grew up living in a funeral home - and I spent many a summer living in one. Because of that, my family has always had a different view of death than many of my friends. Might be an interesting read.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Oct 10, 2014 20:12:50 GMT
Thanks for the recommendation! Have you ever read Stiff by Mary Roach? It is about cadavers and very interesting. I love Mary Roach. I'm reading Stiff right now. I just put the OPs recommended book on hold at my library. I'm sure the local librarians are really wondering about my taste in literature! My DH worked as a funeral assistant for 2 yrs and got to be good friends with a funeral director. I have to say that insider knowledge really changed our perspective on the funeral industry. We have both decided that we will not have funerals or visitations. No embalming, no caskets, no burial. We will have direct cremation and our ashes scattered.
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Post by justcindy on Oct 11, 2014 3:06:30 GMT
My DH worked as a funeral assistant for 2 yrs and got to be good friends with a funeral director. I have to say that insider knowledge really changed our perspective on the funeral industry. We have both decided that we will not have funerals or visitations. No embalming, no caskets, no burial. We will have direct cremation and our ashes scattered. RP, Ya can't leave me hanging like that! What did you learn that changed your perspective? I used to not want cremation, until we had to fulfill my sweet MIL'S wishes when she passed away three years ago. It really surprised me at my change of heart on the matter....one of the biggest reasons was how her memorial service felt. She passed away from lung cancer, and cancer was not invited to that celebration of life...we didn't mention the word, we didn't talk about her being sick, ( we did talk about how graciously she went through her journey, and a couple of special moments during it) and for some reason, not having her body there made it more about HER and not how she died. May sound weird but it was just one of the unexpected emotions that changed with my first experience with a person close to me choosing cremation. I'd like to know your take on it, and what made you and your DH come to that conclusion, if I'm not intruding on personal territory.
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chaosisapony
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,477
Jun 26, 2014 3:27:53 GMT
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Post by chaosisapony on Oct 11, 2014 3:14:54 GMT
I will take a look at the other books mentioned in the replies here. I think a lot of what I like about Caitlin's writing style was the small bits of humor. It kept the book from being too dark and depressing.
ETA: I just looked at the link Compwalla posted to the Ask the Mortician videos. The author looks exactly how I pictured her. That is too funny!
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