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Lonely Planet's Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth
Lonely Planet explores over 30 customs around death, grief and rebirth in cultures and communities around the world and highlights some of the lessons we can all learn from them. With first-person narratives, locals tell the stories of their culture's customs in their own voices. Photography and illustration brings the fascinating pages to life. Through such topics as the tangihanga mourning tradition of New Zealand's Maori people, Irish wakes and the annual Day of the Dead across Mexico, this book explores what it means to mourn loved ones. It also covers some of the funeral traditions of communities around the world, including Tibetan sky burials, the cremation ghats of Varanasi, India, and Ghana's fantasy coffins. Special focus falls on thought-provoking places to visit, for example catacombs, magnificent cemeteries, and festivals of the dead, with details of how to travel and experience some of these customs. Inside Lonely Planet's Guide to Death, Grief and - More than 30 in-depth accounts of customs around death, grief and rebirth, including spotlights on key aspects and details of how to witness some of the events
- Special spreads on sites around the world to visit
- Vibrant illustrations and photography to explain the customs in a respectful manner
- First-person accounts of attending New Orleans' jazz funerals, the Day of the Dead and other occasions
- Explanations of what insights and lessons readers may gain from some customs Lonely Planet's Guide to Death,Grief and Rebirth is a unique and illuminating book about the rituals and customs people around the world perform in order to come to terms with the inevitable loss of loved ones. About Lonely Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures Company, is the world’s number one travel guidebook brand. Providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973, Lonely Planet reaches hundreds of millions of travellers each year online and in print and helps them unlock amazing experiences. Visit us at lonelyplanet.com and join our community of followers on Facebook (facebook.com/lonelyplanet), Twitter (@lonelyplanet), Instagram (instagram.com/lonelyplanet), and TikTok (@lonelyplanet). 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)
- Special spreads on sites around the world to visit
- Vibrant illustrations and photography to explain the customs in a respectful manner
- First-person accounts of attending New Orleans' jazz funerals, the Day of the Dead and other occasions
- Explanations of what insights and lessons readers may gain from some customs Lonely Planet's Guide to Death,Grief and Rebirth is a unique and illuminating book about the rituals and customs people around the world perform in order to come to terms with the inevitable loss of loved ones. About Lonely Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures Company, is the world’s number one travel guidebook brand. Providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973, Lonely Planet reaches hundreds of millions of travellers each year online and in print and helps them unlock amazing experiences. Visit us at lonelyplanet.com and join our community of followers on Facebook (facebook.com/lonelyplanet), Twitter (@lonelyplanet), Instagram (instagram.com/lonelyplanet), and TikTok (@lonelyplanet). 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)
240 pages, Hardcover
Published July 2, 2024
19 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Lonely Planet
3,654 books881 followersOUR STORY
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 28, 2024
This book is just fascinating!
With gorgeous illustrations this book shares more than 30 customs about death and grief around the world. I loved that México is featured in it with Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead and all our beatiful traditions around it. I loved every page.
Thank you Lonely Planet and Sabrina Dax for this gifted copy.
𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵, 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 releases July 2, 2024.
With gorgeous illustrations this book shares more than 30 customs about death and grief around the world. I loved that México is featured in it with Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead and all our beatiful traditions around it. I loved every page.
Thank you Lonely Planet and Sabrina Dax for this gifted copy.
𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵, 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 releases July 2, 2024.
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July 24, 2024Thank you @sabrina_dax_pr for this amazing Lonely Planet’s latest, Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth
TITLE: Lonely Planet's Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth
AUTHOR: LONELY PLANET
PUB DATE: 07.02.2024 Now Available
I absolutely love this book - from the pink cover, the beautiful pictures inside, and most of all the in-depth information I learned so much about how cultures around the world celebrate and grieve their loved ones. Through four key chapters: Celebrating, Commemorating, Mourning, and Offering, I learned and discovered resting places, burials, rituals, and symbols that have been associated with death throughout time. Such an illuminating book perfect for anyone that loves to learn about cultures and traveling. Inside Lonely Planet's Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth:
* Over 35 incredible customs from cultures and communities across the planet
* Special in-depth featuresexamine elements of death in greater detail including: festivals and celebrations; remarkable catacombs; symbols of death and rebirth; the world's most impressive tombs
* Insightful first-person accounts and essays from locals discussing their relationship and experiences with death
* Vibrant illustrations and photography explain the customs and rituals in a gracious manner
* Themes and events featured within the book: Jazz funerals (New Orleans); Turning of the bones (Madagascar); Burial beads (South Korea); Fantasy coffins (Ghana); Lakota soul keepers (USA); Islamic funeral customs; death wailing; the people paid to weep; Swedish death cleaning; Green burials; and more
TITLE: Lonely Planet's Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth
AUTHOR: LONELY PLANET
PUB DATE: 07.02.2024 Now Available
I absolutely love this book - from the pink cover, the beautiful pictures inside, and most of all the in-depth information I learned so much about how cultures around the world celebrate and grieve their loved ones. Through four key chapters: Celebrating, Commemorating, Mourning, and Offering, I learned and discovered resting places, burials, rituals, and symbols that have been associated with death throughout time. Such an illuminating book perfect for anyone that loves to learn about cultures and traveling. Inside Lonely Planet's Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth:
* Over 35 incredible customs from cultures and communities across the planet
* Special in-depth featuresexamine elements of death in greater detail including: festivals and celebrations; remarkable catacombs; symbols of death and rebirth; the world's most impressive tombs
* Insightful first-person accounts and essays from locals discussing their relationship and experiences with death
* Vibrant illustrations and photography explain the customs and rituals in a gracious manner
* Themes and events featured within the book: Jazz funerals (New Orleans); Turning of the bones (Madagascar); Burial beads (South Korea); Fantasy coffins (Ghana); Lakota soul keepers (USA); Islamic funeral customs; death wailing; the people paid to weep; Swedish death cleaning; Green burials; and more
March 14, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for this book! I am so excited to share this review.
📖 Book Review 📖 Do you believe in signs from loved ones in Heaven? When my mom died, she prepared a letter that she had my dad mail me with actual signs that she would be sending me and she has not let me down yet. My mom was born on Friday the 13th and 13 was always her lucky number and so naturally, she died on the 13th in her typical style. When this book arrived in the mail on the 13th, I just knew it was a sign from her…especially with so many places we visited around the world.
Death is sad and scary but there is beauty in the rich cultural traditions around the world that people share in. Anita Isalska brings the true magic of these diverse experiences to readers with her words throughout this engaging and poignant book. Vibrant photographs accompany each section, providing a true journey through death, grief, mourning, and rebirth. No matter your background or exposure to death, this colorfully rich and meaningful book will resonate deeply.
📖 Book Review 📖 Do you believe in signs from loved ones in Heaven? When my mom died, she prepared a letter that she had my dad mail me with actual signs that she would be sending me and she has not let me down yet. My mom was born on Friday the 13th and 13 was always her lucky number and so naturally, she died on the 13th in her typical style. When this book arrived in the mail on the 13th, I just knew it was a sign from her…especially with so many places we visited around the world.
Death is sad and scary but there is beauty in the rich cultural traditions around the world that people share in. Anita Isalska brings the true magic of these diverse experiences to readers with her words throughout this engaging and poignant book. Vibrant photographs accompany each section, providing a true journey through death, grief, mourning, and rebirth. No matter your background or exposure to death, this colorfully rich and meaningful book will resonate deeply.
July 16, 2024
“So all things pass upon the earth. Spirits, beauty, grace, talent. Ephemeral as a flower. Tossed by the slightest breeze.” Engraving in the Paris Catacombs
Im going to be a bit vulnerable for this post today.
I’ve long thought that speaking about death and dying shouldn’t be a taboo. I personally see death, not at the opposite of life, but the opposite of birth, it is our way out pf this earth, it’s inevitable for all, and we should be able to discuss openly with our loved ones how we would like it to be handled. Maybe it’s because of my profession, maybe not.
So I was excited at the opportunity to receive this unique book from because I often wonder how differently cultures, countries and communities deal with death.
Shortly after reading it, I had two back to back losses in my family, and I flew home to spend time with my family.
Grief is such a strange feeling. It can sometimes hit you at the most unexpected time, and sometimes at the smallest of things.
A Guide to death, grief and rebirth, was very interesting to read. It was so fascinating, detailing so many customs of different cultures around the world. The pictures really helped bring everything together.
Some customs like The Irish wake and the New Orleans Jazz funerals are well known.
But others like Sedlec Ossuary in Prague, air burrials, Romania’s Merry cementery, were new to me.
Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy, all opinions are my own.
Im going to be a bit vulnerable for this post today.
I’ve long thought that speaking about death and dying shouldn’t be a taboo. I personally see death, not at the opposite of life, but the opposite of birth, it is our way out pf this earth, it’s inevitable for all, and we should be able to discuss openly with our loved ones how we would like it to be handled. Maybe it’s because of my profession, maybe not.
So I was excited at the opportunity to receive this unique book from because I often wonder how differently cultures, countries and communities deal with death.
Shortly after reading it, I had two back to back losses in my family, and I flew home to spend time with my family.
Grief is such a strange feeling. It can sometimes hit you at the most unexpected time, and sometimes at the smallest of things.
A Guide to death, grief and rebirth, was very interesting to read. It was so fascinating, detailing so many customs of different cultures around the world. The pictures really helped bring everything together.
Some customs like The Irish wake and the New Orleans Jazz funerals are well known.
But others like Sedlec Ossuary in Prague, air burrials, Romania’s Merry cementery, were new to me.
Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy, all opinions are my own.
July 19, 2024
This is fascinating! There are so many cultures in here and it seems just about every culture washes the body in preparation which is lovely.
I like that it was also discussed about the environmental impacts (carbon dioxide emissions when cremating, deforestation to build funeral pyres) and how we can lessen this with green burials (body composting, mushroom suits but also some cultures are already doing this, such as the Tibetan sky burials and the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence where birds, typically vultures, consume the corpse.)
There is nothing terribly confronting here, although the turning of the bones was a surprise, the information is provided in concise manner.
'In New Orleans, you dance in defiance of death - and on behalf of those who can dance no more.'
I like that it was also discussed about the environmental impacts (carbon dioxide emissions when cremating, deforestation to build funeral pyres) and how we can lessen this with green burials (body composting, mushroom suits but also some cultures are already doing this, such as the Tibetan sky burials and the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence where birds, typically vultures, consume the corpse.)
There is nothing terribly confronting here, although the turning of the bones was a surprise, the information is provided in concise manner.
'In New Orleans, you dance in defiance of death - and on behalf of those who can dance no more.'
August 5, 2024
Death is not something to fear.
People are becoming more relaxed and dare I say, also having fun with it..
This is a beautiful book for anyone dealing with loss in any form.
My favourites:
•Obon in Japan
•Korea's cremation beads
•Pet cemeteries
•Swedish death cleaning
•Green burials
People are becoming more relaxed and dare I say, also having fun with it..
This is a beautiful book for anyone dealing with loss in any form.
My favourites:
•Obon in Japan
•Korea's cremation beads
•Pet cemeteries
•Swedish death cleaning
•Green burials
July 19, 2024
Quick read, well organized, and nice photos. Has plenty of info, you can choose to read the highlights or to dive deeper into the text. Very interesting.
December 9, 2024
This is the book to read if you want to learn about a wide swath of death and grieving practices.
I especially enjoyed learning more about:
-Keening singers & death wailing (sometimes hired, sometimes performed by family, sometimes enlisting community)
-Romania's Merry Cemetery (full of color and blunt epitaphs)
-Nigeria's Igbo people have a second burial long after the first to allow for bigger preparations and emotional processing
-Korea's cremation beads (please make me into something pretty when I die)
-Papa New Guinea's mummification by smoking and the now-banned practice of ritual finger amputation after a death in a woman's life
-The Islamic shahadah--whispered into a newborn's ear and again as they die
-Lakota soul keepers/soul bundles
-The (no longer practiced) Māori tradition of ritual self-harm after death
-The Jewish belief that relatives of a deceased loved are onen (occupying a state outside usual life)
-Balinese Hindu cremation towers
-Swedish death cleaning--clearing out belongings so your loved ones don't have to
-Body composting, sky burials, & aquamation (if you don't make me into something pretty, give me to the earth, the birds, or the water)
-India's ghats of Varanasi
I especially enjoyed learning more about:
-Keening singers & death wailing (sometimes hired, sometimes performed by family, sometimes enlisting community)
-Romania's Merry Cemetery (full of color and blunt epitaphs)
-Nigeria's Igbo people have a second burial long after the first to allow for bigger preparations and emotional processing
-Korea's cremation beads (please make me into something pretty when I die)
-Papa New Guinea's mummification by smoking and the now-banned practice of ritual finger amputation after a death in a woman's life
-The Islamic shahadah--whispered into a newborn's ear and again as they die
-Lakota soul keepers/soul bundles
-The (no longer practiced) Māori tradition of ritual self-harm after death
-The Jewish belief that relatives of a deceased loved are onen (occupying a state outside usual life)
-Balinese Hindu cremation towers
-Swedish death cleaning--clearing out belongings so your loved ones don't have to
-Body composting, sky burials, & aquamation (if you don't make me into something pretty, give me to the earth, the birds, or the water)
-India's ghats of Varanasi
November 21, 2025
I received this gorgeous book, 𝑮𝑼𝑰𝑫𝑬 𝑻𝑶 𝑫𝑬𝑨𝑻𝑯, 𝑮𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑭 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑹𝑬𝑩𝑰𝑹𝑻𝑯: 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒔 𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝑼𝒔 𝑳𝒊𝒗𝒆 (𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒆) 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍 from @lonelyplanet & @sabrina_dax_pr and feel like this should be an annual post.
I feel like the culture in which I grew up and even still live, is very disconnected from death. We (rightly) avoid it at most costs, but in doing so, I feel like I have not had the rich acceptance of this event that many other cultures and ethnicities offer. I feel like there is little time given to the reality that we will all face this end, we will all grieve loved ones, and many of us have beliefs in an afterlife which ought to help us.
I am quite fascinated by other ways to honor those who've gone before us, and also the ways grief is expressed. I think there is much I can learn.
I feel like the culture in which I grew up and even still live, is very disconnected from death. We (rightly) avoid it at most costs, but in doing so, I feel like I have not had the rich acceptance of this event that many other cultures and ethnicities offer. I feel like there is little time given to the reality that we will all face this end, we will all grieve loved ones, and many of us have beliefs in an afterlife which ought to help us.
I am quite fascinated by other ways to honor those who've gone before us, and also the ways grief is expressed. I think there is much I can learn.
February 14, 2025
This was a fascinating look at death and death customs in cultures around the world. In the United States, we hide death and stow it away behind closed doors. We don’t like to look death in the face. But for many cultures, death is a normal part of life and it is celebrated and honored as a way to show respect for those that they have lost and as a way to celebrate their life. Some of these customs seemed very weird to me (to be honest) but I found them fascinating. And I appreciated that these customs were all meant to honor the dead in their own way. It was interesting to learn what other places believe and do.
August 12, 2025
The book explores death as a natural part of life, offering global perspectives on how different cultures approach endings and new beginnings. One standout concept is death cleaning — not as a surrender, but as a clarifying process. It’s not about giving up or fading away, but about unburdening yourself from what no longer serves you, so you can live more fully and richly.
The section on Tibetan sky burials is especially moving — a final act of grace that reflects deep spiritual beliefs about impermanence and generosity.
Tempus fugit — time flies, and our time here is brief. This guide is a gentle yet profound reminder to seize the day.
The section on Tibetan sky burials is especially moving — a final act of grace that reflects deep spiritual beliefs about impermanence and generosity.
Tempus fugit — time flies, and our time here is brief. This guide is a gentle yet profound reminder to seize the day.
April 21, 2025
Its contents were fascinating, informative, and well-researched and I'm glad to have read it, but the format of the book was incredibly frustrating and made it hard to fully appreciate the book itself.
Many times it would start sentences and then interrupt with a section of completely different information, continuing the original mid-sentence halfway down the next page. It kept my mind disjointed and unfocused, having to start and stop a train of thought over and over again.
Many times it would start sentences and then interrupt with a section of completely different information, continuing the original mid-sentence halfway down the next page. It kept my mind disjointed and unfocused, having to start and stop a train of thought over and over again.
February 25, 2025
I want to give it a 4.5. I gotta take half a point off because of the color of the cover I’m so sorry. It’s just so painful, one of the worst shades of pink ever. The content of the book, however, is so interesting, and it was weird to notice a very consistent voice throughout the book, which I don’t see in textbooks or other informational books. I had a great time and learned a lot.
August 24, 2025
I found this book "just ok." This is probably because I already knew of many of the customs presented, thanks to authors Caitlin Doughty and Jessica Mitford. Perhaps I expected more, since it is from Lonely Planet. Photos in the book were provided by Shutterstock and Getty Images, which I thought was cheesy for Lonely Planet.
October 26, 2024
searching for understanding of why god takes saopme of us to soon.
December 25, 2024
Didn't get a whole lot out of it, to be honest.
May 19, 2025
An interesting overview of how different cultures grieve
June 5, 2025
Stellar reference book on death and other cultures. Found lots of interesting tidbits. Visually very appealing, but goes into a ton of details too.
June 10, 2025
A must have for any personal library! Educational but still very entertaining.
October 3, 2025
Fascinating! Hardcover edition with many color photos feels nice in your hands and the publisher takes you around the world with history and customs of funerals and celebrations of life.
October 13, 2025
This was really interesting, and I liked all the pictures.
November 5, 2025
(3.5)
December 11, 2025
A beautifully written and illustrated book about death/grief customs around the world. It is fascinating to see how different cultures face this life event. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews