The Whole Death Catalog: A Lively Guide to the Bitter End

by Harold Schechter

In the tradition of Mary Roach’s bestselling Stiff and Jessica Mitford’s classic exposé, The American Way of Death, comes this meticulously researched, refreshingly irreverent, and lavishly illustrated look at death from acclaimed author Harold Schechter. With his trademark fearlessness and bracing sense of humor, Schechter digs deep into a wealth of sources to unearth a treasure trove of surprising facts, amusing anecdotes, practical information, and timeless wisdom about that undiscovered country to which we will all one day travel. Topics include

• Death anxiety–is your fear of death normal or off the scale?
• You can’t take it with you . . . or can you? Wacky wills and bizarre bequests
• The hospice experience–going out in comfort and style
• Deathbed and funeral etiquette–how to help the dying and mourn the dead with dignity
• Death on demand–why the right-to-die movement may be the next big thing
• “Good-bye everybody”–famous last words
• The embalmer’s art–all dressed up and nowhere to go
• Behind the scenes at your local funeral home
• Alternative burial choices–from coral reefs to outer space

From the cold, hard facts of death to lessons in the art of dying well, from what happens in the body’s last living moments to what transpires in the ground or in the furnace, from near-death experiences to speculation on the afterlife, The Whole Death Catalog leaves no gravestone unturned.

Genres: Nonfiction, Death, History, Science, True Crime, Humor, Reference

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Aka Jon A. Harrald (joint pseudonym with Jonna Gormley Semeiks)

Harold Schechter is a true crime writer who specializes in serial killers. He attended the State University of New York in Buffalo, where he obtained a Ph.D. A resident of New York City, Schechter is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York.

Among his nonfiction works are the historical true-crime classics Fatal, Fiend, Deviant, Deranged, and Depraved. He also authors a critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Edgar Allan Poe, which includes The Hum Bug and Nevermore and The Mask of Red Death.

Schechter is married to poet Kimiko Hahn. He has two daughters from a previous marriage: the writer Lauren Oliver and professor of philosophy Elizabeth Schechter.

Reviews

[Jerecho · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting to know about death. Admittedly, everyone wants to go in heaven but no one wants to go first.😊😊😊

This book is a nice read if you want to study history and facts about death. Some inputs are humorous, some are repetitive, some are quite interesting, some are something you know, and some can be skip. But it just boils to the fact that death is interesting and celebratory, but maybe I just don't want to join yet. 😊✌️

Someday but not now 😂🤣😊😅👍✌️😊

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whole Death Catalogue: A Lively Guide to the Bitter End written by Harold Schechter and narrated by Patrick Lawlor is an extensive look at a subject not often discussed by many due to fear and misunderstanding. What is helpful in reading about death is the author’s sense of humour and his obviously well-researched text. The reader is treated to all aspects of death and the book could serve as a user’s manual, seeing as none of us will escape death. The book is literally a catalogue about the subject and will inform as well as entertain. This is my first book by Harold Schechter and I will certainly be adding more of his titles to my list. Highly recommended.

[Mauoijenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of interesting facts, old advertisements, pictures, details and other crazy stuff people like me want to know. It covers topics like death in the movies, caskets and grave stones, plus lots more. A great afternoon read if your into this kind of stuff.

[Cori Farris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting - if you're into this kind of stuff - and I am.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those crazy amalgations of facts, anecdotes, references, suggested readings, myths, funny asides, and so much more. I believe the title will tell you about what.
The sardonic humour is lively enough. Some of the information is even helpful, such as creating wills and living wills or dealing with grief. It isn't a depressed in the dark kind of death book, for sure, I just felt a little confused by why he made this. I think just for the oddity of it, like Rudimentary Peni's "Cachophony"--but, of ocurse, it doesn't achieve brilliance like that!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is more or less death, in easily digestible, bite-size pieces. What really made me a little nervous is that, in many of the sections of this extremely entertaining book, the author mentioned books and websites from which he got his information. It wasn't the mentioning that made me nervous. It was the fact that, much of the time, my reaction was, "Got that," "Read that," "That's on the bookshelf," or "I love that website." Or worse, "Oooo, that's cool. I want to read that!" and "Let me just highlight the name of that website...."

[Valerie Hesslink · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book probably is better read in segments and not straight through. so maybe in book form but I don't suggest to read it on the Kindle. so although it was detailed there were points where the author repeated information. suffice to say It is the whole catalog because I offically do not need to read anymore books on the subject. Mary Roach's Stiff is still the best book to read because it is light hearted enough to enjoy the read.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking its cue from that 1970s Aquarian-age relic, "The Whole Earth Catalogue", Harold Schechter's "The Whole Death Catalogue: A Lively Guide to the Bitter End", may not cover all topics related to our inevitable demise, but this meticulously-researched book does an excellent job of covering a bundle of related topics, from strange obituaries to whacky wills, famous cemeteries, a behind-the-scenes look at the goings-on at a funeral home, death rituals in various cultures, mementos mori, and all the burial choices you could ever ask for. You can even learn how to make your own bona fide corpse! (No, I'm not kidding.)

But all that just scratches the surface of all the great information this book has to offer the curious reader.

Mr. Schechter, author of the definitive book on serial killers ("The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers"); "Deviant", an acclaimed biography of Ed Gein; and "Psycho USA: Famous American Killers You've Never Heard Of", is professor of American literature and popular culture at Queens College of the City University of New York. He writes extensively on true crime and and has also authored an anthology of true crime writing, entitled "True Crime: An American Anthology",.

For "The Whole Death Catalogue", Schechter employes and lively and sometimes ironic sense of humor while remaining respectful in his treatment of a subject many aren't comfortable discussing. Readers will discover stories of near-death experiences and the studies performed on same, what happens to our bodies once we've taken our last breath, how people avoided burying someone alive by accident and, of course, tips on deathbed and funeral etiquette. Schechter also cites a huge number of extra-curricular reading sources for a more detailed look at many aspects of death, from Mary Roach's wonderful "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" to Jessica Mitford's scathing 1963 expose and critique of the funeral industry, "The American Way of Death: Revisited".

I highly recommend exploring "The Whole Death Catalogue". Now you'll have to excuse me. I'm going to AmazonSmile to buy a copy of "The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers"!

[Marjanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. It's nice to feed my inner Goth once in a while. I found this book very interesting. I liked that the author managed to be serious but also had a sense of humor. There were some very light sections, but some very helpful sections too. I was able to discover that I am a 'taphophile'. Naturally, because this book is about death, some readers may find of the various discussions a bit unappetizing (such as the description of decay). I think I may actually add this to my wish list.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one I really skimmed through. It is a pretty comprehensive catalogue and is a good source for a lot of serious questions. The book does handle the topic of death in a "lively" manner, but seriously addresses many aspects of death, grieving, what to tell the children, etc. I picked it up due to the cover and the amusing description. I could never have read it in depth, but I do recommend people look through it. The portions on the history of how cultures handle all aspects of death were very interesting and well done.

[Collin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very entertaining, broad overview of the business of death.

Though it didn't have a lot of what I really need for my personal research (information on older, foreign methods and rituals of death), most of the information is modern and helpful to those looking to understand the business of current American funerals. At least, I think it is. Not being an expert in that, I wouldn't know. But it did seem helpful.

It's written in a wry, no-nonsense tone that makes it enjoyable to read. Recommended if you want a basic understanding of how death works, so to speak, in 21st century America.

[NeatMillieBliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lively indeed, although I had pretty much already read or knew about the info HS presents. The ebook version is rather badly laid out (pics w/the captions on the next page, what are obviously boxed insets interrupting the narratve text, etc.) and I would have preferred a physical copy. On the plus side of the e version, there are a jillion fascinating links that you can instantly access. My personal favorite is Mummy Bear...don't ask, just read the book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these kind of books. Not death books, just ones that are filled with tons and tons of amazing and interesting factoids. This social history covers death in all its cultural facets; mythological origins, ads that were posted for death clothes, funeral laws, etc. It's written with a humorous bent, so beware if you take death too seriously.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing and comprehensive look at all things related to death, from gory to humorous. My only issue was that one of the bizarre deaths quoted from another book turned out to be an urban legend. Still, very well done.

[Jeannine Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is alot to know about the death process. The options for after you die seem endless. The author of this book did his job very well, and there was information about death that would happen in western times, Victorian and even the beginning of time. The only complaint I would have was that he wrote it with a sense of humor, which I didn't find to be appropriate. It might just be the egyptian in me, but I wasn't amused, but don't get me wrong, the Grimm reaper himself can always make me laugh with his creativity. I just found it out of place, and in a world where everything has become a joke, it just gets repetitive and emotionless for me.
I truly loved the section on the evil dead. That was my favorite part of the book. I'm definitely glad I read this book. 🖤

[J.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection of information and facts about death and dying. I know that might not sound great to some people, but I thought it was fascinating.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Schechter truly covers the gamut on this morbidly fascinating topic. Pieces on intriguing historical insights alternate with essays on the ethical implications of cremation versus burial and humorous anecdotes nestle next to rankings of “Ten Cemeteries to See Before You Die.” There's even a “recipe” for making your very own mummy. (No guarantees on the outcome of that one...) The Whole Death Catalog is an entertaining and, yes, “lively” one-stop source for all things dead and dying.

Each of the seven chapters in The Whole Death Catalog contains dozens of short articles roughly grouped together by subject matter. Dr. Schechter kicks things off with a general overview of death myths from across the world – an Indonesian myth blames mortality on the first man and woman selecting the short-lived banana instead of the undying stone – and touches on how religious beliefs affect a culture's approach to dying. For example, Hinduism teaches successive reincarnation; thus death is simply “a natural stage in the evolution of the soul” as it progresses toward oneness with God. The history of attitudes toward death in Western culture receives a bit more attention in this first section, from the bleak Puritan graveyards of colonial times to the “sentimental excess” of Victorian postmortem portraits and funereal poetry. You can also take a brief 25-question quiz to determine where you fall on the Death Anxiety Scale and ponder Emily Dickinson's classic poem “I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died.” It's not all theoretical or historical offerings, though; there's plenty of gore, too. If you have a weak stomach, I'd suggest skipping the detailed descriptions of the decomposition process, as well as the definition of adipocere. Ew.

Next you'll learn to “Be Prepared,” as the title of the second chapter promises. Brush up on Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's “five stages of grief” and get some useful tips on how to discuss funeral planning (either yours or theirs) with a parent or other family member. Read about some odd bequests in wills and how to tend to the terminally ill, making a loved one's final hours as comfortable as possible. And don't forget to choose (and rehearse) your last words oh so carefully!

With that, we're on to funerals! Starting with the ceremonial burials by the prehistoric Cro-Magnons, Dr. Schechter touches on burial practices from the Ashanti of Ghana, the Jivaro people of the Andes, and rural Romania as well as from various religious traditions. Ever wonder just what a funeral director's job description is? It's in this chapter, along with a handy translation of common “funeralspeak” euphemisms. You'll learn the difference between coffins and caskets and where you can purchase a “theme coffin” that will reflect your personality and passion – oversized ballet shoes, corkscrews and guitars are only a few of the novelty-shaped coffins available to house your mortal remains.

Dr. Schechter goes on to cover graveyards, “resurrectionists,” taphophiles, premature burials, and less traditional methods of corpse disposal. If you're looking for something a bit more adventurous than a traditional burial or cremation, you could consider a sea burial, or having your ashes sent into outer space, or turning your cremains into a diamond or perhaps even part of a coral reef. He also lists dozens of classic poems, short stories and songs about death, and several don't-miss mortuary museums throughout the United States.

Perusing these pages you'll discover more than you ever wanted to know about the history and the modern practice of embalming, notable death scenes in movies, how to build your own casket (or rent one, if you prefer), and cryonic preservation. You'll also glean valuable information about living wills, writing eulogies, and where to find a motorcycle hearse for your biker burial. The eminently practical, the seriously quirky, and the disturbingly macabre are inseparably intertwined throughout The Whole Death Catalog, bringing a dose of approachability and even hilarity to what can be an intimidating subject.

For more book reviews, come visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.

[The Irregular Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot. It was less of a straight-up history (though there was plenty of that) than I would expect from this author, but this is an incredibly comprehensive guide that touches on a bewilderingly large number of death-related topics.

Unexpected by me were the sections that dealt with death and dying in modern times and what to do if you or a loved one is soon to shuffle off the mortal coil. Everything from last wills and testaments, selecting a funeral home, and determining how the body is to be disposed of (cremation, burial, part of a coral reef, shot into outer space, etc.), to how to talk with young children about death and dying, and resources for people morning the death of a relative, friend, or pet.


We also learn about the best guides to the burying sites for the rich and famous, how to make an Amish funeral cake, and wo to contact if you'd like to have a wedding in a cemetery.


Throughout all of this Schechter is his usually dryly funny, tongue-in-cheek self, easing us into a near universally avoided topic.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite read this year. It's delightfully well structured. Each section has its own series of subtopics. These are general overviews that come with the bonus of having recommendations for further study. This, in my mind, is what makes this book so invaluable. You read a little, get your curiosity piqued and go on to find another book (and another and another). I think I put at least ten sticky notes to mark future reads. As someone who has read extensively on death, it was such a pleasure to be handed an easy-to-access list of books without having to trawl through the bibliography at the end. The book is also very lighthearted, witty, and ironically funny.

[Colona Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is what the title suggests a whole death catalog. This book has everything you could want to know about and some bonus fun death related trivia! Reading it is like a series of short articles, which is nice for a brief explanations that the author gives credit for the original source in the article so you can read more on the subject. I was surprised though strangely there was no reference page at the end of the book.


If you are morbidly curious than this is a good source material to start reading from!


You can order this book at the Colona Public Library! ~Ashley

[Holli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very extensive look at all things surrounding death and death industries. It wasn't written to be read straight thru but rather piecemeal by the topics that a person is interested in. For that reason information was repeated. I was surprised by how many excellent citations and information for further reading there was. In many ways, I wish this was a book that I had started my research with because it gives lots of sources for deeper research many of which I have already read. Definitely a good place to start for anyone interested in learning more on this.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

After taking a death and dying course in college, I became obsessed with all things death. and I've been a big fan of Harold Schechter for quite some time. In this book, he encompasses all aspects of the death process from forensic science to the burial process. This in-depth look at a subject most of us shy away from is handled respectfully, yet candidly. A real eye-opener.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say, it never would've occurred to me to read this on my own. A coworker weeded it at work and it looked too interesting too pass up. Definitely worth the dollar I spent rescuing (hoarding?) it from our sale shelf. It's not nearly as depressing as one might think. Morbid, sure, but oddly fascinating at the same time. I will say it was a somewhat slow read for me.

[Rayfes Mondal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers virtually every topic related to death in funny manner over 174 mini-chapters. Lots of interesting history and a ton of links to more information (like how to get your remains as part of a barrier reef). Surprisingly enjoyable for such a morbid topic. I'm updating my will tomorrow which is why I had some interest in this and it happens to be Halloween.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to know everything about the funeral industry, the history of death rituals, and where to buy novelty chocolate coffins, this might be the book for you. Any book that has a chapter titled "Death Can Be Fun" is definitely unique.

[Jennifer Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a compilation of writings from other sources and I quickly discovered that I had already read a good deal of the information. This is somewhat alarming. It was a very insightful read if you have a dark and morbid fascination with death, dying and other such matters.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy...duh.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!!

[Iroquois · Rating 3 out of 5]

creepy but really interesting

[Susan Mazur Stommen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indispensable reference book. Fun for the whole family.