Read In Peace
Are death and funerals scary? Uncomfortable?
Maybe . . . a tiny bit intriguing too?
I can teach you about death and funerals in a gentle way. I’ll share grief tips and funeral facts, explain how things work, and show you the light side of this dark subject.
I’ll also explore how our culture and media have embraced death and funerals to produce lighthearted and compelling art. That means movie and book “dissections!”
Want to learn something in particular? Contact me and ask!
What Do You Want to Learn Today?
How Often Do You Think About Roman Empire… Funerals?
Undertakers and dead bodies in the sword-and-sandal era
Not Your Grandma’s Urn
A guide to modern urn choices, plus materials available, weird options, choosing the right size, and general tips and tricks for cremated remains.
Identification Viewing vs Traditional Viewing
What is an ID view? And what is it not? We’ll talk about the reasons they’re done this way, what to expect, and why mortuaries can be strict about how they’re conducted.
Plus Size Postmortem Care
How professionals navigate the challenges of preparing and transporting extremely overweight remains while preserving dignity and respect.
Harmful Funeral Tributes
Why we should avoid balloons, doves, and butterflies at memorial services. It’s high time we recognize that these lovely sentimental acts have a dark side. Let’s explore why these seemingly innocent tributes are problematic and discover less harmful alternatives.
CSI: Dollhouse
The making of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death dioramas. Dolls + miniature crime scenes = the most effective method of teaching homicide investigation! Who knew?!
Book Dissection: 18 Tiny Deaths
The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics (using dollhouse murder scenes)
Caskets, Coffins, and Other Body Boxes
Containers for every occasion: bury, cremate, rent, or ship!
Kids & Grief: The Ultimate Directory
An extensive collection of simple explanations and resources for grieving children and their families
Mummification: Now For Kids!
Looking for a unique summer activity for your kids? Why not mummify Barbie?
Funeral Facts: Alkaline Hydrolysis
Don’t want to be burned or buried after death? Try the gentler, eco friendly option known as “water cremation”
Movie Dissection: Harold & Maude
Young, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral. (IMDB)
How to support a grieving friend
When someone has suffered a loss, what do you say? What do you do? Find out the best ways to help, long after the funeral is over.
Don’t say these 7 things at a funeral
What do you say to someone who is grieving a loss? Not these things!
The first post
I’ve had my coffee. The house is empty and quiet. I’m ready to embark on my first blog post. How did I get here?
