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Disconnected from Death: The Evolution of Funerary Customs and the Unmasking of Death in America
Americans have a complicated history with death – that final darkness at the end of life. Our ancestors dealt with death on a daily basis, dreaming up countless traditions and rituals to try and understand it. Society today, however, has disconnected from death. In years past, Americans died at home. Bodies were prepared for burial in our kitchens and funerals were held for our dead in the parlor. Now, we die under the sterile conditions of a hospital, far removed from the people who love us, and our death has become a business.
From the God-fearing Puritans to the aftermath of the Civil War, the Victorian descent into mourning to modern day funeral traditions, authors April Slaughter and Troy Taylor take the reader along on a journey through America’s history with death, dying, and how they’ve shaped our society today.
From the God-fearing Puritans to the aftermath of the Civil War, the Victorian descent into mourning to modern day funeral traditions, authors April Slaughter and Troy Taylor take the reader along on a journey through America’s history with death, dying, and how they’ve shaped our society today.
- GenresNonfictionDeath
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2018
232 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
April Slaughter
8 books7 followersApril is a long time paranormal enthusiast who began her journey into the unknown at the tender age of eight when her family moved into a home rife with activity. Unsatisfied by vague answers to her questions, April began to study various phenomena and was eventually inspired to pursue a career in the paranormal field. Her mentoring began under the direction of Chris and Nancy Peterson of the Utah Ghost Hunters Society in 2002 and she eventually went on to create and manage her own research team. Along with her investigative partner James Boley, the pair managed one of Utah's first paranormal organizations to research all areas of phenomena including hauntings, crypto zoology, psychical research, UFOs and more. April also joined forces with Alien Dave Rosenfeld, Director of the Utah UFO Hunters (UUFOH) and became an active member of his organization.
In 2006, April submitted her first article to TAPS Paramagazine (published by The Atlantic Paranormal Society and the SciFi Channel's Ghost Hunters), entitled The Haunting of Lehi Hospital. She was asked to continue writing for the publication as a staff journalist and also became the magazine's Customer Service Manager. April was presented with the opportunity to travel with Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson to represent the magazine at different events, also assisting with TAPS' merchandising and visiting some of the most famous haunts in the country. She moved with her twin daughters from Utah to Rhode Island to work in the magazine office in 2007.
April met and married Allen Slaughter (also an investigator) in July of that year eventually relocating to Texas while continuing to write for TAPS.
In January of 2008, April and Allen founded The Paranormal Source, Inc. a non-profit research and education corporation based in the Dallas area. The Paranormal Source has created a unique network of experts consisting of some of the most well-respected names in the paranormal field to serve on their Advisory Board of Directors, including such notables as Rosemary Ellen Guiley, John Zaffis, and Loren Coleman. The Paranormal Source, Inc. is also proud to be a TAPS Family Member for the state of Texas. As the Executive Director, April manages the investigative team, marketing for the corporation, and is also often asked to speak at various paranormal functions.
April is one of only a handful of people to own two of the highly controversial Frank's Boxes (engineered and built specifically for her by Frank Sumption of Colorado). Her current studies include a focus on experimentation with these devices, as well as others currently available for research in Electronic Voice Phenomena and Instrumental Transcommunication (EVP & ITC).
She is working on several upcoming publishing projects and continues to investigate all things paranormal.
April and her husband enjoy a quiet life just outside of Dallas and spend their time beyond the paranormal laughing and playing with their girls and a white Miniature Schnauzer named Dexter.
"
In 2006, April submitted her first article to TAPS Paramagazine (published by The Atlantic Paranormal Society and the SciFi Channel's Ghost Hunters), entitled The Haunting of Lehi Hospital. She was asked to continue writing for the publication as a staff journalist and also became the magazine's Customer Service Manager. April was presented with the opportunity to travel with Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson to represent the magazine at different events, also assisting with TAPS' merchandising and visiting some of the most famous haunts in the country. She moved with her twin daughters from Utah to Rhode Island to work in the magazine office in 2007.
April met and married Allen Slaughter (also an investigator) in July of that year eventually relocating to Texas while continuing to write for TAPS.
In January of 2008, April and Allen founded The Paranormal Source, Inc. a non-profit research and education corporation based in the Dallas area. The Paranormal Source has created a unique network of experts consisting of some of the most well-respected names in the paranormal field to serve on their Advisory Board of Directors, including such notables as Rosemary Ellen Guiley, John Zaffis, and Loren Coleman. The Paranormal Source, Inc. is also proud to be a TAPS Family Member for the state of Texas. As the Executive Director, April manages the investigative team, marketing for the corporation, and is also often asked to speak at various paranormal functions.
April is one of only a handful of people to own two of the highly controversial Frank's Boxes (engineered and built specifically for her by Frank Sumption of Colorado). Her current studies include a focus on experimentation with these devices, as well as others currently available for research in Electronic Voice Phenomena and Instrumental Transcommunication (EVP & ITC).
She is working on several upcoming publishing projects and continues to investigate all things paranormal.
April and her husband enjoy a quiet life just outside of Dallas and spend their time beyond the paranormal laughing and playing with their girls and a white Miniature Schnauzer named Dexter.
"
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 26, 2021
Two stars because I found the bit at the end about buying caskets from Walmart and a casket with a sound system (an eye-watering $35k+) interesting but this book could have done with an editor.
For starters, the notables ‘buried’ at Kensal Green cemetery are actually in Highgate (this infuriated me greatly because I love, and I mean love, Highgate cemetery) and secondly, biodegradable tree urns/pods where the cremains are placed and then out sprouts a tree, it’s cute but be mindful that your ashes have absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever, despite claims of ‘offset elevated pH levels and diluted high sodium concentrations present in the ash’, so you, personally, will not be anywhere in that tree and therefore not a ‘living memorial’. If you wish your entire body, not embalmed, be placed in a pod and then a baby tree planted, you would probably be part tree then and this is a ‘thing’.
There was a long stretch in the middle about Abe Lincoln’s untimely death and his 13 day trip round the country whilst rapidly deteriorating. Abe needed topped up with chalk (to hide his decomposing face) and a dusting regularly due to the number of times his coffin was opened for rubber-neckers. This was interesting, however, I didn’t feel the length of it was necessary but ask me about Abe’s death train and I can probably tell you about it now. That was a book in itself.
I don’t think I’ve ever written a review as long as this but it had to be said. Just glad I got the kindle edition and not the paperback because it would NOT be going on my shelf.
For starters, the notables ‘buried’ at Kensal Green cemetery are actually in Highgate (this infuriated me greatly because I love, and I mean love, Highgate cemetery) and secondly, biodegradable tree urns/pods where the cremains are placed and then out sprouts a tree, it’s cute but be mindful that your ashes have absolutely no nutritional value whatsoever, despite claims of ‘offset elevated pH levels and diluted high sodium concentrations present in the ash’, so you, personally, will not be anywhere in that tree and therefore not a ‘living memorial’. If you wish your entire body, not embalmed, be placed in a pod and then a baby tree planted, you would probably be part tree then and this is a ‘thing’.
There was a long stretch in the middle about Abe Lincoln’s untimely death and his 13 day trip round the country whilst rapidly deteriorating. Abe needed topped up with chalk (to hide his decomposing face) and a dusting regularly due to the number of times his coffin was opened for rubber-neckers. This was interesting, however, I didn’t feel the length of it was necessary but ask me about Abe’s death train and I can probably tell you about it now. That was a book in itself.
I don’t think I’ve ever written a review as long as this but it had to be said. Just glad I got the kindle edition and not the paperback because it would NOT be going on my shelf.
December 9, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It had quite a bit of history regarding funeral customs from the Puritans all the way through current day. It was interesting to learn how attitudes, based on the beliefs and norms of the time, had such a heavy influence on viewing death as "good" or "bad". It was pretty heavy on the Civil War era and Lincoln's death, but the was an incredibly pivotal time in our nations history and had profound changes on how we as a people learned to cope with death and caring for those who had died. The chapters at the end touched on current funeral services, the funeral industry and had some very good tips on saving money and planning for funerals. The resources were greatly appreciated! April Slaughter did an excellent job researching and putting together a book that was interesting to read as well as incredibly informative.
February 19, 2020
If you're interested in funerary customs....
This is the book for you! It includes pictures and even a copy of the only picture of Lincoln's corpse. A fascinating view into our current funerary customs and where they originated and it ends with advice on setting up your services and options.
This is the book for you! It includes pictures and even a copy of the only picture of Lincoln's corpse. A fascinating view into our current funerary customs and where they originated and it ends with advice on setting up your services and options.
August 28, 2025
A three-star rating seems a little generous, but I feel like two stars aren’t fully warranted, either. I have several issues with this book, but I’m way too tired right now to write a coherent review.
I’ll just leave a few bullet points so I can avoid forming complete paragraphs and having to actually expand on my thoughts.
Some negatives:
• I would have liked citations, but I understand this isn’t an academic title. Still, though. C’mon.
• They perpetuated the Ring Around the Rosey myth. Bruh. Modern folklorists and scholars say there’s no direct evidence to support this.
• I’m not convinced the cover image is a postmortem photo. Granted, I’m not an expert, and the person who confirmed this photo’s veracity was credited as an expert. But given this book’s other “research,” I’m not sure I trust these authors and their sources.
• I could go on, but I legit just cannot think right now. Must. Go. To. Bed.
Some positives:
• I mean, I still enjoyed reading it. However, I am just a sucker for funerary customs, cemeteries, body disposal options, Victoriana, and death-related topics in general. I dragged my husband (then fiancé), in the searing heat, to a Victorian funeral reenactment (put on by the wonderful Mourning Society of St. Louis) shortly after his life-saving liver transplant surgery. Poor dude was fresh out of the hospital, and that’s the first thing we did. Lol
Maybe I’ll come back and compose a better review at some point, but I’ll probably be too lazy.
I’ll just leave a few bullet points so I can avoid forming complete paragraphs and having to actually expand on my thoughts.
Some negatives:
• I would have liked citations, but I understand this isn’t an academic title. Still, though. C’mon.
• They perpetuated the Ring Around the Rosey myth. Bruh. Modern folklorists and scholars say there’s no direct evidence to support this.
• I’m not convinced the cover image is a postmortem photo. Granted, I’m not an expert, and the person who confirmed this photo’s veracity was credited as an expert. But given this book’s other “research,” I’m not sure I trust these authors and their sources.
• I could go on, but I legit just cannot think right now. Must. Go. To. Bed.
Some positives:
• I mean, I still enjoyed reading it. However, I am just a sucker for funerary customs, cemeteries, body disposal options, Victoriana, and death-related topics in general. I dragged my husband (then fiancé), in the searing heat, to a Victorian funeral reenactment (put on by the wonderful Mourning Society of St. Louis) shortly after his life-saving liver transplant surgery. Poor dude was fresh out of the hospital, and that’s the first thing we did. Lol
Maybe I’ll come back and compose a better review at some point, but I’ll probably be too lazy.
September 14, 2019
Interesting...
But not really what I expected. There was a lot more about how the funeral industry rose because if the civil war than I really cared about, and a lot less about about the traditions of earlier burials that I was interested in. Still, not bad. Just not what I was looking for.
But not really what I expected. There was a lot more about how the funeral industry rose because if the civil war than I really cared about, and a lot less about about the traditions of earlier burials that I was interested in. Still, not bad. Just not what I was looking for.
Want to read
December 13, 2023How can I take the book seriously if the photograph on the cover is of a living child? This is supposed to be a book on death customs? Or how death obsessives see post mortems everywhere they don't exist?
May 6, 2024
Pros:
Overall, the information provided is very good. I enjoyed the chapters on the evolution of gravestons and the evolution of mourning customs and trinkets. I enjoyed the images included in order to illustrate and further the readings.
Cons:
The chapter on Abraham Lincoln funeral train was very long and took me the longest to get through, this is mostly because the start of the chapter was very interesting but as the chapter continued it began to get monotonous. I removed a star because of this chapter and the fact I really had to push myself to get through it. The other star I removed just because some chapters take time to get interested in, leading to me skimming. Unfortunately I cannot remember which sections I skimmed.
I skipped the final two chapters, which talked about modern funeral and burial practices because I was reading the book for the history sections and customs and wasn't interested in modern. This is solely a personal taste issue and does not reflect in my scoring.
Overall, the information provided is very good. I enjoyed the chapters on the evolution of gravestons and the evolution of mourning customs and trinkets. I enjoyed the images included in order to illustrate and further the readings.
Cons:
The chapter on Abraham Lincoln funeral train was very long and took me the longest to get through, this is mostly because the start of the chapter was very interesting but as the chapter continued it began to get monotonous. I removed a star because of this chapter and the fact I really had to push myself to get through it. The other star I removed just because some chapters take time to get interested in, leading to me skimming. Unfortunately I cannot remember which sections I skimmed.
I skipped the final two chapters, which talked about modern funeral and burial practices because I was reading the book for the history sections and customs and wasn't interested in modern. This is solely a personal taste issue and does not reflect in my scoring.
November 28, 2020
If I could give this book 3.5 stars, that would be my ideal rating.
From a writing perspective, the book was on the weak side. No conclusion, it ended abruptly, and there were some pretty distracting grammar mistakes in the first half of the book.
I did enjoy learning about Lincoln’s funeral train and the burial situation with the civil war. The book was interesting enough to be able to pick up and put down. Nice photos throughout as well.
Recommended if you’re interested in learning more about death care practices/history and you haven’t learned much yet.
From a writing perspective, the book was on the weak side. No conclusion, it ended abruptly, and there were some pretty distracting grammar mistakes in the first half of the book.
I did enjoy learning about Lincoln’s funeral train and the burial situation with the civil war. The book was interesting enough to be able to pick up and put down. Nice photos throughout as well.
Recommended if you’re interested in learning more about death care practices/history and you haven’t learned much yet.
April 14, 2022
All in all I did enjoy reading this book. There was a lot of interesting things (like the info about the space burial), but some parts were either lacking in information (I would have liked to see more about the complexity of the Victorian mourning rituals) or had way too much information (the whole section about Lincoln). It needed to be balanced out better.
October 12, 2022
For death history and ritual fanatics
As a purveyor of death rituals and connections to the deceased, I found this book an excellent addition to the limited resources available on the the subject. The last chapter is great, highlighting some original ways of disposing of the dead.
As a purveyor of death rituals and connections to the deceased, I found this book an excellent addition to the limited resources available on the the subject. The last chapter is great, highlighting some original ways of disposing of the dead.
May 11, 2023
Disconnected from Death was a very interesting read, looking at how (European) Americans have regarded death and how they have treated their dead. There was a lot of time spent discussing Lincoln's funeral procession back to Illinois, and that may have drug on a bit long, but all in all it's a great book. The book isn't terribly complimentary to today's funeral industry.
October 16, 2023
This was a mostly interesting but uneven and probably spottily researched book. Very heavy on the American Civil War and the Victorians, but inexplicably ignores WWI & anything afterwards, except for the odd infomercials for alternative funerary treatments at the abrupt end of the book.
But, hey, if you ever craved a seat on Abraham Lincoln 's funeral train--this book is for you!
November 11, 2020
All You Need to Know
This opens the door on funeral and memorial services from the Victorian to modern times. Post-Morten photography, spiritualist paractices and modern alternatives to embalming and burial are presented.
This opens the door on funeral and memorial services from the Victorian to modern times. Post-Morten photography, spiritualist paractices and modern alternatives to embalming and burial are presented.
August 23, 2020
amazing indeed!
I purchased this book as I researched the symbolism of cemetery stones for a exhibit in a small historical museum.
But wow, some amazing information!
I purchased this book as I researched the symbolism of cemetery stones for a exhibit in a small historical museum.
But wow, some amazing information!
January 1, 2021
I think this was an entertaining history of death rituals.
July 5, 2021
A remarkably uneven book that feels like 3 partially completed books mashed together. The tone shifts at about the 60% mark, and there are peculiar usage errors throughout.
July 8, 2021
Lots of good information, but wandered quite a bit. I wish it had a tighter editor.
December 25, 2023
An interesting history on death in America from the puritans to the modern day
June 22, 2024
This was incredibly well written and fascinating to follow along with. It went in great detail and captured the current feelings about death at certain time periods.
September 16, 2024
3.5 stars. Great information, but poor proofreading.
September 22, 2024
Filled with fascinating details and great history!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews