Buried Secrets: Anecdotes of a Funeral Director

by Harry Pope

It’s likely that you think of the funeral industry as a sombre one, populated by serious, grey-faced individuals whose days are filled with nothing but sadness and grief... but you couldn’t be further from the truth, as Harry Pope reveals in this hilarious memoir of his time as a funeral director.

Over the course of his career, Harry was involved in more than a few unusual incidents. In his early days, colleagues and eventually mourners broke into laughter as he somehow ended up sliding into a grave with the coffin coming to rest on top of him. Another day saw Harry get the fright of his life when he heard a knocking coming from the rear of the hearse, where no living person should have been. And as for the coffin that he just about prevented from being emptied onto the tarmac at Heathrow Airport… well, you’ll just have to buy the book!

As well as these hilarious anecdotes, Harry introduces us to the hidden and often tragic world of the funeral arranger, with a look at his involvement in disasters such as the Piper Alpha oil rig, the Lockerbie bombing and the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise.

With stories that will make you cry with tears of both sadness and laughter, this fascinating read is perfect for a wide and varied audience.

Genres: Nonfiction

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2017

Reviews

[Anna Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book did nothing for me. It was supposed to make me laugh. I could only find one laugh which was the PA giving the gypsies a receipt for cash for their huge funeral. She puts it in unlocked drawer, where they can observe, normally they are not given a receipt. Cash disappears. We can all guess by whom, they can prove they already pai they have a receipt to prove it. Having buried/cremated many of my family/friends I have been fortunate/unfortunate in the funeral directors I chose. I found it hard to laugh, especially when a loved one is you would hope in safe hands. I gave this book 3 stars initially, on reflection I have changed my rating to 1. Parts of this book made me very sad, that our loved ones can be treated disrespectfully at times. Funerals are not a laughing matter. They are sad, serious issues that can affect many people in many different ways. I would not recommend this book.

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled to get through this, for such a small book. The first half was full of stories which felt quite disrespectful to the dead (although Pope makes clear that this was a different time for professionalism). There’s some interesting stuff in the second half about international deaths and disasters but the anecdotes were very short; characters were introduced and then forgotten and it was full of judgement and opinion which I don’t felt helped.

This one wasn’t for me, I was expecting something more like other “day in the life” books I’ve read of the Different professions.

[Dave Buckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny. If you have a gallows-esqe sense of humour, you'll love this book. You can tell it's written by an individual and taken from their own experiences. One of my parents worked for many years at a funeral directors, and the stories they used to come home and tell (for nobody else's ears, ever) were very much of the same ilk. Some funny, some heart-breaking. Anyone with an interest for funny work-based writing would like this book.

[Mrs SJ Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I currently work in the funeral business, so this book appealed to me. I have heard some interesting stories from colleagues, but this book had me in stitches. It helps to have a sense of humour in the businesses whilst maintaining professionalism. Fantastic book, well written and look forward to reading more from this author :)

[Stephen And Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is such an amazing and interesting book. Full of highs and lows. Full of humour and sorrow. I really recommend it. A great read.

[Catriona Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief but enjoyable with some highly amusing anecdotes.

[Frances Burnett · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was poorly written and judgemental.

[Christine Holyoake · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had so much potential. I was expecting black humor, stories of unusual deaths, crazy requests by eccentric relatives, people turning up for the wrong funeral - you get the message. This book offered none of these. Just the author recounting his career in the industry. Very disappointing