Waking Up Dead: A Loose Collection of Anecdotes from Life as the Son of a Funeral Director and Coroner, Among Other Things

by Ryan Copeland

If you've ever met anyone who grew up in the funeral industry, you'll know that they're weird. What's even more strange is those who were handed the business on a (cold) platter and rejected it. Or it rejected them. Either way, as the son of a funeral director and coroner in a small, southern town, author and columnist Ryan Copeland takes you through his - and his late father's - experiences with everything from pulling a hearse out in front of oncoming traffic to riding along unwillingly to the scene of a death investigation. If you ever wondered why there are so few people who do this for a living, check out the book that shows one unique perspective.

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2020

Reviews

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this collection of stories from living in a small town in South Carolina as the son of a prominent leader, the elected coroner for many years and owner of the funeral home. The author's self-deprecating dry humor makes this book move right along. Some interesting, unusual, sad and funny things happened as he was growing up. Set in Beaufort, SC, there is much local history and details of the time period. His book is a tribute to his dad. I enjoyed reading it and laughed a good bit. Recommended for southern history, unique stories and humor.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since moving to the Lowcountry, I found this book to be very interesting. I enjoyed his sense of humor and his collection of stories. Some were sad, some were funning, and some were tragic. I am sure there were many more that didn't hit the pages.

I felt this book was more a tribute to his father and the life he gave to Beaufort County. He sounded like a great man, one I would have loved to have known.

[Michelle Scott Roark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming story of a small town coroner/funeral director from Beaufort SC. Told by his son in a light-hearted and often funny bursts of stories.

[Alise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every bit of this book! Proud to know the talented author and to have been one of many who were impacted his remarkable father.