A Life Among the Dead: Stories from an Irish Funeral Director

by David McGowan

When death is a way of life...
In Have You Trouble? Lessons on Life and Death from an Irish Funeral Director, David McGowan takes us through the business, science, and the unexplained elements of death. Sharing stories that are poignant, humorous, and educational in turn, David explores the unique approach of Irish culture when it comes to grief and death and seeks to demystify the process of dying and what happens to the body afterward.

The only certainty when we come into this life is that we are going to leave it, and yet it's something most people are reluctant to discuss or allow themselves to think about. David's mission is to open up conversations and encourage people to have an understanding of their loved ones wishes as well as their own.

Genres: Nonfiction

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2024

About the author

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Reviews

[Reixma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
This was a recommended read.

This book does discuss death, the passing of children, trauma, and suicide, so if these are sensitive subjects to you, just be aware. The author does provide advanced warning and a heads-up in specific chapters so you can skip those areas if you so wish.

I wasn't expecting this to be as good as it was. It was sad in a few places, especially near the middle of the book, and there was fair warning on some chapters, which I really appreciated.

It's a vocation that many of us don't really think about or a service we don't want to think about until we have to, because it means we have lost something close to us.
But the role of a funeral director is a role that David McGowan takes very seriously and respectfully. He tells us of how he came into the vocation and how he studied it to better understand it, and how he seeks to bring a sense of peace and closure to those who are grieving.

This book did help me feel a bit more at peace with those who have passed in recent years, and to remind me that for the passing that will inevitably come, that it will be OK.

[Leanne Devlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know if I’d necessarily go recommending this book but it was brilliant lol

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I expected different things from this book than what was presented which is why my review is only 3🌟

I was expecting this book to be a compilation of funny stories and things that went wrong or unusual happenings. It was more like a story of how David McGowan came to be a funeral director mixed with information on Irish funeral practices.

I found it quite repetitive but I hope that someone, somewhere finds comfort from this book.

[Karen McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this after seeing the documentary. A great insight to a subject nobody likes to talk about hearing about his stories, knowledge and pride in his work and for Irish traditions made it an excellent read

[Paul Moynihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 22 of 2024 complete! Ireland's favourite funeral director David McGowan takes us through his amazing career which saw him starting off as a teenager in Ballina in the family business, travelling to Chicago to study his craft (where he provided services for some colourful characters in the Mafia) and returning home to Ireland to set up a state-of-the-art funeral home and embalming service. It might sound like fairly morbid stuff but McGowan's story is filled with heartwarming, poignant and often funny moments. The chapter on unexplained happenings is particularly intriguing, as McGowan says he has often experienced strange events while working with the deceased. Nobody does death like us Irish, and McGawon proves that here in one of the best books I read this year.

[Niamh Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read that moved me to tears several times. McGowan handles such a sensitive subject with great care. His stories and explanations regarding what happens when we die are really insightful. I particularly enjoyed the chapter “unexplained happenings”. I don’t tend to enjoy non fiction books but this was very good.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing the Netflix documentary I just had to read this book. David is very respectful of those who have passed on in his personal story. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about his life to date and found this a thoughtful and could say enjoyable read

[Grace Killius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sincere, sweet book. Reading this feels very conversational, as if talking to McGowan himself about his life experiences. While the topic of death is not something I am always drawn to, McGowan writes in a way that is easy to understand, nonjudgmental, and overall is simply kind.

[Marie Pouwels · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone else said, I was expecting some kind of compilation of funny or odd anecdotes and a bit of craic. I wasn't disappointed though as this was more of a memoir but written in a very professional, compassionate and well intentioned way.

[Ciara O · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fantastic, an insightful and empathetic look into death care, grief, and more. I think anyone would be incredibly lucky to have David McGowan taking care of their final send off. It may not be a literary masterpiece, but I do think everyone could benefit from reading this.

[Pádraig McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Sinéad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an important read

Great book with such an interesting insight, there isn't anything more you could add, lovely touches on all aspects of death and dignity in death

[Megan Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sat and read this book in one day, cried on and off throughout. What a lovely read and what an admirable man.

[Merrie121 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and very informative.

[Chelsea Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting read!