Title: All the Living and the Dead
Author: Hayley Campbell
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Format: Hardcover (Library)
Pages: 288
I picked up this book while visiting my local library. I absolutely am obsessed with books that deal with mortuary science in some way or form. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I’m highly fascinated with something that has scared and continues to scare me, which is death. I will admit after losing my grandmother, I’ve become more intrigued about the roles of people who are involved in the business of death.
The best thing about this book was the fact that there’s a person for every job listed here, and you get to hear the experiences they go through working in these fields. It really isn’t easy and I truly admire what they do. I really enjoyed a few stories more than others, especially: ‘The Executioner’. The fact that these people have to fear for their lives on a daily basis because of other people’s beliefs is insane. However, a lot of the people who’ve taken the role of The Executioner have been known to also stop all together after being consumed by nightmares and death threats….most taking their own lives as well. The process of Freezing your body, grave Digger, and many more! Many think books like these are macabre and dark, but I think it gives great insight into the world of the dead. The people who take care of our loved ones during the death process should be given credit and be spotlighted a swell. It’s not for the faint of heart. The author did an amazing job interviewing these professionals as well as getting an hands-on experience in these fields of work.
I think after reading about some of the cases and what these professionals do, I have even more respect for them.
Bella's Book Obsession 