Forever Ours: Real Stories of Immortality and Living from a Forensic Pathologist

by Janis Amatuzio

Forensic pathologist Janis Amatuzio first began recording the stories told to her by patients, police officers, and other doctors because she felt that no one spoke for the dead. She believed the real experience of death - namely, the spiritual and otherworldly experiences of those near death and their loved ones - was ignored by the medical professionals, who thought of death as simply the cessation of breath. She knew there was more. From the first experience of a patient in her care dying to the miraculous "appearances" of loved ones after death, she began recording these experiences, knowing that they would bring comfort to anyone who has suffered the loss of someone they love. Written by a scientist in approachable, nonjudgmental language for anyone who has lost someone they love, this book offers stories that can't be explained in purely physical terms.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Death, Grief, Inspirational, Spirituality, Medical

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as we are born, we are all on a path towards death. It's the one great certainty. We don't know for sure if we are going to find love, get a great job, or have children but we know unequivocally that we all will die. With that said, death is generally something that both fascinates us and causes great anxiety. Despite that everyone has an opinion, no one knows for sure what happens after this life is over. Death is probably the world's greatest mystery.

Forever Ours looks at death from an interesting perspective. The author is a forensic pathologist. Part of her job is to talk to the deceased person's relatives and give them information about the cause of death. The author seems like a very caring, empathetic individual who realizes that how she handles each situation is far more important that simply getting a job done. I think it is for this reason that so many patients, relatives, and colleagues have opened up to her about their experiences: about living, about death, about life after death, and about life after the death of a loved one.

Forever Ours is a very insightful book that I would highly recommend to everyone.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very uplifting, totally compelling, and comforting read about different people's life beyond death stories as told (or experienced by) to forensic pathologist, Janis Amatuzio, MD. Glad I had the opportunity to read it and feel that others would be helped by doing so, too. Definitely a must read!

[Jessica Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book as part of operating instructions for life. Please note if you tend to cry get out the tissues but it is completely WORTH IT.

[Ashleigh Esch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! It’s given me a different perspective on the way I view death and how we grieve from our loved ones. I’ve never cried from a book but I had water works with these wonderful stories!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Dr. Amatuzio's books out of order, as this was her first book, but having read the second, I had a better idea about the content of this one. Unlike most books I've read that were written by coroners or medical examiners, her books are more about the lives of the people whose deaths she investigated rather than the deaths themselves and trying to get to the bottom of why they died. That said, she focuses a lot on the signs the deceased give to let their friends and loved ones know that life will go on in their absence and that there indeed is peace in the hereafter.
Amatuzio takes most of her stories from conversations she has with people outside of her direct role as medical examiner. She does talks for many different groups, and often, even when she's not speaking on the subject matter of the book, someone in the audience knows of her beliefs that the deceased are never truly gone and shares a story or two with her. She also writes of the near-death experiences of some patients, who feel their spirits leave their body and are enjoying a great feeling of peace until modern medical techniques abruptly bring them back into their bodies. Some are angry that the best feeling they had in years was taken from them. Others find a greater purpose for living knowing that when their time comes, there is nothing to fear.
Amatuzio's second book, 'Beyond Knowing' definitely feels like a follow-up to 'Forever Ours' because I think she probed the topic deeper in that one and it has stronger stories to support her feelings. That said, I very much enjoyed this book, because it provides a better introduction to her and has more personal stories that seem to intertwine with each other better.
Both books are quick reads, so I recommend reading both in a close time frame, as the two go well together.

[Laren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gives you exactly what the title promises. The author is a doctor who began to collect certain stories from people she came across in her work - stories from people who recently lost loved ones being comforted seemingly from beyond, or people who had their own encounters with death. While the stories are interesting, none are particularly memorable or uplifting. In fact, it has only been a few days since I read this book, and I already can't recall a single story's detail.

I really wanted this book to succeed because people of science who encounter the unexplained are usually the most credible in their observations. But here she doesn't provide much of her own observation. Instead, she acts as the middleman, just neutrally passing those stories along to the reader. It doesn't help that the author has trouble recreating dialog that doesn't sound wooden or stupid. I found myself wishing that she had just told the stories as stories without trying to recreate the actual conversations, because everyone already knows conversations in non-fiction books are not actual anyway.

I'm sure there is an audience that will find this book interesting, perhaps people new to the subject. The author already has a second, similar book published, so obviously people are interested. I think I just have already read too much on the subject to be the right audience for this book.

[Janet Ormberget · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books you can read in one day. I was having a bad day and this book cheered me up. The topic seems gruesome, but it's actually the exact opposite. If you believe in life after death I recommend this book. If you are struggling with what happens after we die read this book. If you are a strong skeptic, skip this book. It probably won't change your mind.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enlightening. I know the author personally, she's wonderful, insightful and delightful.

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some short stories about different experiences people have had after someone had died. They are not all that great though the topic is an interesting one.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pleasant read if you like to read about people near death and what is reported to happen to them and with them as they slip into the next realm.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Forever Ours: Real Stories of Immortality and Living from a Forensic Pathologist, by Dr. Janis Amatuzio, narrated by the author, Produced by New World Books, downloaded from audible.com.

Dr. Amatuzio is a forensic pathologist. Even while doing her internship and then residency, as well as through her ongoing practice, she has heard stories of persons near death experiencing reunions with loved ones already crossed over to the other side. She clearly believes there is something there, something beyond the cessation of life. What she does understand is that, whether or not you agree that these things could happen and that people can communicate with the dead, the stories can be a great deal of comfort to relatives who are grieving. Her voice is very compassionate and kind, almost a little much for a kermudgeon like me, but it is a very interesting book not explainable by science.

[Lisa Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after reading an article in the paper about this forensic pathologist and while I don't go to see many authors I did go to see Dr. Janis Amatuzio and she did not disappoint. My father had died earlier in the year which prompted my thoughts about death. Working as a pathologist, Dr. Amatuzio was often approached by family members who had lost a loved one and then began sharing with her their unusual moments when their loved one would visit them or someone they knew. These are their stories.

[Non · Rating 1 out of 5]

I chose this book because I work at the same hospital that gave Amatuzio her start and because I'm interested in Forensic Pathology. I have heard similar stories from my patients over the past 9.5 years at UMMC and none of them have offered proof of an afterlife. Amatuzio's experiences were no different than mine, but for her they had so much spiritual meaning. I believe these things happen because the brain works in mysterious ways. I'm not a total athiest but I have yet to experience anything that resembles proof.

The dialogue was awkward for me. Nobody talks like that.

[susanlsimon Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by a forensic pathologist, this book had reassuring credibility for me. The author tells of many stories told to her by families of loved ones who have died and the unexplainable experiences that occured either right before or after the loved one died. I liked this book so much that I read it in one day ad then purchased her other book and read it the next day.

[Kathy Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful uplifting book about the author's experiences with people who have lost loved ones and people who are close to death. It gave me a new sense that my husband's spirit and love still surround me. I'm going to buy copies to give to friends in similar situations. (Thank youthankyouthankyou Maureen!)

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Real stories of immortality and living from a forensic pathologist". She's often called the "compassionate coroner". Her name is Janis Amatuzio M.D. In this book she offers stories of hope and love...and the transitions from life to death and beyond. See her website at: www.compassionatecoroner.com

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I read this book - it was sort of weird. But the author's a pathologist, just like my favorite person in the world. Plus, she's from Minnesota, so I had to read it! What I didn't expect was to enjoy it - but it was actually an interesting read :-)

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWESOME!!! I would recommend this book to everyone. Written by a forensic pathologist, the book has several stories of a greater life after death! Definately makes death not so scary. Very enlightening and touching stories. A great read, I read this book in a day!

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy read. Wish she would make another.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, thought provoking, insightful. I wish I'd read it years ago.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Club

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

These were a series of rather interesting stories told by a doctor who heard them from patients, coworkers and friends over the years. In each little vignette, someone tells of having seen their dead loved one in a dream, or the person telling the story remembers an out-of-body experience while they were clinically dead. None of these types of experiences are especially new and I did appreciate the kindness and compassion of the author in the way she dealt with her patients and others. My main objection is that these stories will tend to give readers the idea that nobody should fear what happens after death, and that a good and pleasant experience awaits us all. But this is not true. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ will come to that good and pleasant land in eternity with Him. Those who have not will face judgment and eternal damnation. Those are hard words, but true ones. The author hints at having some sort of faith in a vague God, but it comes across as a very Hallmark kind of faith - all sweetness and no substance.

[Elleanna Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant yet direct in addressing observations in the medical field related to transitions from life to death and the wake of grief that often follows.

Much of this book, especially the patient stories, hit very close to home since it is based out of MN and the U of M hospitals where Dr. Janis worked.

Dr. Amatuzio is a very gifted author who shares her experiences as a forensic pathologist in a way that leaves the reader to decide about the connections between love, death, life, God, and eternity. She stresses so well how brief our time here on earth is and how important it is to tell those close to us how much we love them.

[Kathie Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

No spoilers here. I just want to explain my 2-star rating. It is mostly because of the poor quality of the narration. I've said it before and I'll say it again. An author should write her book, not read it to us. If they were good at getting comfortable with reading without sounding like they're in a drama 101 class, they would have become an actor not an author. It's so detracts from the narration of the book for me.

Additionally, I'm not a big believer in these after-death stories and there was nothing in here that was any different from others that you may have read or heard about. But the narration was the primary reason I'm only giving it a two-star rating.

[Lisa Moschkau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The coroner from Anoka MN tells short stories about her experiences with the living relatives and friends of her patients (who are deceased). Every story has a spiritual meaning. Lots of hope in her words. I had the opportunity to be the family of one of her patients and found her a healing physician.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories shared with the author are important for those experiencing loss, but also for assuring that there is hope for those whom remain after a loved one has passed on.

It resonates with my experiences and the author deserves credit for making each story so personable.

I’ve already shared this with many people because it may help them too.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This certainly had some thought provoking moments about the afterlife and the experiences of doctors who deal with patients in death or near-death situations. I like the subject but did think some of the stories strained credulity. It just seems so unusual that one doctor had so many similar experiences. But, an inspirational and uplifting subject matter.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a longtime fan of Dr. Amatuzio, having watched her on TV. This was an interesting book and not at all what I expected. The stories were compelling. Her insights mirrored many of my own. I'm following her and hope she writes more books, especially on her forensic pathology experiences with unusual cases.

[Hayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book again for a nostalgia trip - I read it when I was around 10 and remembered thinking it was miraculous. The language is very juvenile and boring, but the sentiment is the perfect amount of corniness to keep my spirits up. Definite strong Christian undertones here, but the positive, saccharine kind, nothing to make you feel bad or ashamed.