Discover the world’s most fascinating death and funeral traditions in this illustrated
modern-day memento mori. Embark on a whirlwind tour of burial preservation and memorial
practices and landmarks from across the globe and throughout history ranging from the customs
of our ancestors to contemporary practices. In these vibrantly illustrated pages you can
explore how humans from time immemorial have honored and remembered the dead including:
Mummification in ancient Egypt Post-mortem photography in Victorian England Open-pyre
cremations in India Ghana’s fantasy coffins The Japanese ritual of kotsuage (“the gathering of
the bones”) And much more Author-illustrator YY Liak tackles the thorny theme of death with a
deep compassion for the universal experiences of loss and grief and an intrepid interest in the
unique mortuary practices that have arisen across continents cultures and millennia. Her
colorful modern illustrations bring to life a whole spectrum of human beliefs about death and
dying. EXISTENTIAL AND ENDLESSLY ENTERTAINING: Whether you’re casually curious about what
happens to our bodies after we die or intimately experienced with death and its attendant
customs appreciating the rituals of others can help you develop and deepen your own.
MARVELOUSLY MACABRE TREMENDOUSLY THOUGHTFUL: Dynamic full-color artwork accompanies
informative and intriguing text rendering everything in energetic detail—from a step-by-step
breakdown of the embalming process to detailed diagrams of ancestral altars around the world.
A GIFT FOR CURIOUS MINDS: This intriguing volume makes an excellent present for sociology
lovers and morbidly curious readers. It’s a perfect fit for anyone who enjoys an accessible
illustrated take on history and anthropology and can also be shared with younger readers to
kickstart important discussions about death and dying. Perfect for: Science buffs and history
lovers Adults and teens interested in death and funeral traditions Anyone curious about
different cultures' beliefs about death and mortality Readers seeking resources that
demystify and destigmatize death and dying Fans of popular science and sociology authors like
Caitlin Doughty Mary Roach and Sue Black
