Passed on: African American Mourning Stories: A Memorial

by Karla F.C. Holloway

Passed On is a portrait of death and dying in twentieth-century African America. Through poignant reflection and thorough investigation of the myths, rituals, economics, and politics of African American mourning and burial practices, Karla FC Holloway finds that ways of dying are just as much a part of black identity as ways of living. Gracefully interweaving interviews, archival research, and analyses of literature, film, and music, Holloway shows how the vulnerability of African Americans to untimely death is inextricably linked to how black culture represents itself and is represented.
With a focus on the “death-care” industry—black funeral homes and morticians, the history of the profession and its practices—Holloway examines all facets of the burial business, from physicians, hospital chaplains, and hospice administrators, to embalming- chemical salesmen, casket makers, and funeral directors, to grieving relatives. She uses narrative, photographs, and images to summon a painful history of lynchings, white rage and riot, medical malpractice and neglect, executions, and neighborhood violence. Specialized caskets sold to African Americans, formal burial photos of infants, and deathbed stories, unveil a glimpse of the graveyards and burial sites of African America, along with burial rituals and funeral ceremonies.
Revealing both unexpected humor and anticipated tragedy, Holloway tells a story of the experiences of black folk in the funeral profession and its clientele. She also reluctantly shares the story of her son and the way his death moved her research from page to person.
In the conclusion, which follows a sermon delivered by Maurice O. Wallace at the funeral for the author’s son, Bem, Holloway strives to commemorate—through observation, ceremony, and the calling of others to remembrance and celebration.

Genres: Death, Nonfiction, History, Grief, Race, African American, American History

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 30, 2002

About the author

Karla FC Holloway is James B. Duke Professor of English at Duke University, where she also holds appointments in the Law School, Womens Studies, and African & African American Studies, and is an affiliated faculty with the Institute on Care at the End of Life and the Trent Center for Bioethics, Humanities & History of Medicine. She serves on the Greenwall Foundations Advisory Board in Bioethics, was recently elected to the Hastings Center Fellows Association, and is the author of many books, including BookMarks: Reading in Black and White; Passed On: African American Mourning Stories: A Memorial, also published by Duke University Press; and Codes of Conduct: Race, Ethics, and the Color of Our Character."

Reviews

[Cal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I strongly believe everyone needs to read this book. It's brutal, but so is the history of America. This book serves as a deep nod to the latter, as well as a depiction of what draws people to embrace death early in life.

It reads like a cross between a history and a personalized anthropology textbook, along with a deep dive into the social underpinnings of the funeral and religious communities built out of years of violence and forced acceptance of death. It makes you look at the events, attitudes, cultures, and beliefs of today in a different light.

It makes you ruminate, despair, and start to understand the struggles painted down across our history and why it still matters so much.

It also is a useful book to pair with Jessica Mitford's The American Way of Death to get a more nuanced picture of the American funeral system.

[Kidada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passed On opens a window onto African Americans' formal handling of death. Stitched into the book, that draws heavily on interviews, newspaper reports, etc., is Holloway's own beautiful but sad narrative of her family's efforts to mourn the loss of her son.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very emotional reading experience for me...very heavy...so much so that I can't really form a review...but I can say that I highly recommend reading this book.... I really am at a loss for words.

[G.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a deep read. I learned a lot about the funeral business and how funeral homes have evolved. Our ancestors went through a lot and this book makes me have an even greater appreciation for them.

[Gail Johnson, Ph.D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, reading this book was like sitting in the kitchen with a group of distant family members having a long conversation about those who have passed on. I picked up a lot of vibes from this book. Very deep.

[Manda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend to anyone entering or within the mortuary field to pick up this book.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful exploration of the intersections of Black history and death in the US. An important read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holloway’s text is a poignant and longing look at Black death and funeral practices. The specific essay topics were a little disjointed and I found many compelling and some less interesting.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an excellent book. Really informational, easy storytelling and just great overall read. Must read for anyone interested in the funeral industry, especially Black funeral directors.

[Tony Lindsay]

A historical, scholarly, and emotional read.

[Paige Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

history 232

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a social history of African American death and dying. The title said "Mourning Stories" but I found very little of that. I found the book to be very interesting. It tells the history of funeral service, especially in the African American community. The stories of lynching were heart-breaking: all the more so when I realized that it is happening still today (Trayvon Martin).

It's not what I expected. It was dry in places. It is a history book. I happen to really enjoy history and I have the patience to plow through areas that aren't as interesting to me.

I would recommend this book if you enjoy history.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this, but I was confused by some of the quotations in the epilogue. Lines from Horatius Bonar's poem "The Everlasting Memorial" appear to be attributed to explorer Matthew Henson because he copied the poem in his diary. And I was impressed by "We need have no fear of death . . . if we concern ourselves with seeking His laws by which we unlock His storehouse of wonder," which I thought was a quote from George Washington Carver based on its placement next to a photo of his tombstone. But when I wanted to see more about it, I was unable to find the source. Other than these issues, though, this was a very interesting book.

[Darcy Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad, sometimes gruesome, but always fascinating. Not sure I'll read it again, but it was worth a read.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled on this ... fascinating, so much I never knew or thought of