WELLCOME COLLECTION No Ordinary Deaths A Peoples History of Mortality.

by Molly Conisbee

History is dominated by A-list queens beheaded; archdukes assassinated. But what about everyone else? How did ordinary people depart this life and grieve for loved ones - and which of the old ways might help us prepare for the end?

Our ancestors, living closer to death than we do, had a more intimate and integrated relationship with death as a familiar presence in daily life. From the death-watchers of the Middle Ages to the pomp of Victorian funeral wear, by way of plague pits, grave-robberies and wakes, historian and bereavement counsellor Molly Conisbee explores how cycles of dying, death and disposal have shaped - and been shaped by - society. She examines, through the prism of past deaths, their interweaving with our beliefs and politics, our most fervent hopes and deepest fears and, ultimately, what it means to 'die well'.

A groundbreaking new work of social history, No Ordinary Deaths paints a rich picture of the lives of our forebears, skilfully bringing the lost art of death to life today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Adult, Death

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grim Reaper is never far away when studying history. However, it is usually the most influential and infamous deaths at the centre, whether that be monarchs, aristocrats, political leaders, or notorious criminals; we rarely hear of how ‘ordinary’ people met their demise. Molly Conisbee seeks to amend that as she explores the stories of those often omitted from history books. As a result of spending the last decade researching the social history of death and mourning, she has produced a history of mortality.

Due to ubiquitous death, many throughout history have had a much more integrated relationship with grief. Taking a thematic approach, from death watchers in the Middle Ages to the elaborate mourning customs in the Victorian era, Molly covers a wide breadth of fascinating topics. By way of plague-pits, bodysnatchers, criminal dissections, queer persecutions, and wakes, cycles of death and dying are explored and how society and religion have and continue to mould them. Familiar names of Burke and Hare will appear, as well as some unfamiliar, yet closer to home, people such as Lydia Stather’s suspected suicide in 1890s Hull, and a ‘Hand of Glory’ from an executed criminal in Whitby.

Utilising her expertise as a bereavement counsellor, Molly shares her vast knowledge of death and grieving through this well-written and authentic piece of non-fiction, demonstrating how practices have changed while putting those often excluded from history at the forefront. This meticulously researched book, filled with anecdotes and images, significantly contributes to the historiography of death culture and mortality, illustrating the lives of our forebears and bringing the lost art of death to life today.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

"To ask if someone had a 'good death' these days feels awkward, almost intrusive; we have become so fixed on death being the enemy - something to defer, beat or deter - that it seems culturally counterintuitive to think it could ever be a 'good' outcome."

This book has an extremely interesting premise and touches upon really poignant themes surrounding death, grief and collective memory. I really enjoyed the way the author weaves in different topics such as how Henry the VIII's Reformation completely changed the way people were allowed to mourn and grieve, how some bodies were worthless and therefore acceptable to be used for anatomical studies, how gay people were condemned to death for their sexuality and unable to be properly mourned by their loved ones or how the fact "death" is so institutionalised and hidden behind the curtain of medical care that we have become unable to properly accept and deal with it. I feel like a lot was covered and it was a good approach to cover a lot about the theme.

This said, I found the writing lacking a bit with lots of repetition and bits just dragging on and on - shomehow it reads a bit like a phd thesis which perhaps it was. I also found that what the author sets out to do from the beginning - ie: paint a picture of death through the lives of common people - is not really accomplished as many of the bios are pure conjecture. Also the palpable anglocentrism of some statements really made me go "Wtf?" - the most glaring probably the one stating that the wake is something that happens after the body is buried when this is untrue for most religions and cultures as demonstrated by the author when a couple of paragraphs after she mentions Irish Catholic tradition.

All in all it was a good read that would have benefitted from some more time of editing.

[kerry_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Ordinary Deaths by Molly Conisbee is about people who whose stories aren’t easily found in the history books. I was amazed by the breadth of topics discussed - from how these people comforted their dead in their final moments and watched over them before burial, or how they faced the death penalty for stealing silverware, or how they buried their dead. The infamous Burke and Hare even made an appearance!

I particularly found it interesting learning that the ways Western society memorialise their dead has changed significantly over the last couple of centuries, as well as reading about what the general population pictures there is after death. I also loved that this book challenged the idea of an ‘ordinary death’.

This book would be great for those interested in social or economical history, or just has a morbid curiosity (or fear!) about death. Although the majority of the time it was interesting hearing the historical facts, sometimes it was too much for me - such as when it went into detail about the history of Surrey (sorry, Surrey!).

I loved reading No Ordinary Deaths. I hope Molly Conisbee brings out more like this! The cover is also fantastic.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fascinating look at the usually morbid topic of death. By the end I strangely found this to be more comforting than anything; I really think this would be worth a read for anyone who has a fear of dying or just isn't comfortable about the topic.

Even though this doesn't necessarily have to be read in chronological order, I did & I really enjoyed it. Some chapters spoke to my personal interests more than others but overall, this was so intriguing. With the title and the cover, I'll admit I was expecting this to be a lot darker and macabre than it was (which I wouldn't have minded) but I was pleasantly surprised. That being said, there are still parts that were pretty gruesome, chapter 4 specifically, but I personally found that one of the more interesting chapters 😅. There were so many new things I learnt about death & dying by reading this & it was fascinating to see how many things surrounding death, funerals & even wakes from the medieval & Victorian age still link in some form or other to modern day.

I really liked Conisbee's way of writing, I could feel the passion she has while I was reading & I loved her afterword at the end. It felt like the whole book had been well planned & thought out, I especially enjoyed the format of it all. I'd happily read more nonfics from Molly & this one in particular I feel has given me a newfound or rather rediscovered interest in the Victorian era too.

I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to add to their nonfic tbr, especially those who want something a little darker to read.

[Ileana (The Tiniest Book Club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This non-fiction book caught my eye because of its beautiful design and the appealing theme. Molly Conisbee's research is concerned with the deaths (and lives) of ordinary people in Britain, from late medieval to modern times.

Working with far too meager sources like census documents, Conisbee nevertheless succeeds in laying out a compelling, humane and intimate history.
Fascinating topics like criminal dissections (more punishment than scientific study), bodysnatching, Victorian mourning clothing and many more are introduced with meticulously researched real-life examples.

Molly Conisbee manages to show the hidden, marginalised and partially erased stories of ordinary deaths and dying, for example those of LGBTQ+ identities.

Conisbee, who is not only a social historian but also works as a bereavement counselor, shares her vast knowledge and helps us come to terms with our own perception of a "good death".

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death is a feminist pursuit- that's what I took away from this book. Women used to be the watchers of the dying and often participated in various parts of the industry later on making shrouds or being undertakers (it's only when men took over the medical industry like in obstetrics did it become less common for women to be involved in that sphere). As this is my year for death research, I found this book extremely helpful, it taught me about mourning practices though out the ages and what different head stones and colors mean. Even the 'afterlife' chapter that I though we would be boring and religious ended up being fascinating with academic versions definitions of ghosts and spirits.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
A very interesting piece of cultural history on death, burial and grief. I often think of all those people that came before us, who lived valuable lives we know nothing about. Molly Conisbee brings some of them to our attention and by those stories we find out about their lives, customs, rituals and their passing.

I see that this is the last book of my challenge for this year.

[Tabatha Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covered different subjects from grief to mass burials. All tide together with real life human stories. Worth a read for those interested, not only about death, but also interested in social history, royal history, and about our ancestors

[Jean Marriott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read about death. so many things to think about death. Very well researched, Conisbee is a good writer

[Stef]

I live for niche books I really do

[Michelle Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death remains one of the few certainties in life, yet it’s astonishing how rarely we speak of it openly. Molly Conisbee’s No Ordinary Deaths confronts this silence with grace and insight, offering a deeply human exploration of how ordinary people have lived—and died—through the ages.

Far from being morbid, this book is a moving social history that reveals how our relationship with death and bereavement has evolved.

Well-researched and beautifully written, No Ordinary Deaths is a powerful reminder that every death—no matter how “ordinary”—shapes our culture, our communities, and our collective memory. A thought-provoking and life-affirming read.