Last Rites: The Evolution of the American Funeral

The Untold Story of American Funeral and Mourning Traditions

Why do we embalm the deceased? Why are funerals so expensive? Is there a reason coffins are shaped the way they are? When--and why--did we start viewing the deceased? Ceremonies for honoring the departed are crucial parts of our lives, but few people know where our traditional practices come from--and what they reveal about our history, culture, and beliefs about death. In Last Rites, author Todd Harra takes you on a fascinating exploration of American funeral practices--examining where they came from, what they mean, and how they are still evolving.

Our conventions around death, burial, and remembrance have undergone many great transitions--sometimes due to technology, respect for tradition, shifting sensibilities, or even to thwart grave robbers. Here you'll explore:

- Influences for American rituals--from medieval Europe, the Roman Empire, and even ancient Egypt
- When mourning fell out of fashion--and how George Washington's passing brought it back
- Abraham Lincoln's landmark funeral and its widespread impact
- Flowers, liquor, mourning gifts, and caskets--the reasons behind our grieving customs
- Unknown soldiers--how warfare influenced funeral and bereavement practices ... and vice versa
- How growing populations, religion, inventions, and media have changed and continue to shape our traditions
- The future of our death rites--mushroom suits, green burial, body donation, flameless cremation, home funerals, and more

The rich story of the American funeral is one of constant evolution. Whether you're planning a funeral service or are simply intrigued by the meaning behind American burial practices, Last Rites is an informative and compelling exploration of the history--and future--of the ceremonies we use to say farewell to those who have departed this world.

Publisher: Sounds True
Published: 08/02/2022
Pages: 288
Weight: 1.1lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.80w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781683648055


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 06/01/2022 pg. 162
Booklist 07/01/2022 pg. 4

About the Author
Todd Harra has over a decade of experience as a licensed funeral director and embalmer and is a certified postmortem reconstructionist and cremationist. He has written two nonfiction books about the profession, Mortuary Confidential and Over Our Dead Bodies, and is an associate editor for Southern Calls, a renowned journal in the funeral profession. He is the president of the Delaware State Funeral Directors Association. For more, visit toddharra.com.