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Food to Die For: A Book of Funeral Food, Tips, and Tales From the Old City Cemetery, Lynchburg, Virginia by Jessica B. Ward

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How often have you been unsure of what to say or do when confronted with the death of a friend, relative, or acquaintance? Food to Die For will help in many ways. Inside you'll find...
* Over 100 great recipes for Central Virginia's favorite comfort foods, including Jane's Corn Pudding, Cheese Straws, Mur's Peas, Bookstore Punch, and Sweet Briar Cookies
* Lighthearted looks at funeral customs, old and new
* Practical advice for writing obituaries and condolence notes

You'll also learn...
* Useful terminology like "funeral tsar" and "dying order"
* How to make a gingerbread house
* Why thousands of people each year visit Lynchburg's public cemetery

The cookbook contains 180 pages of recipes, etiquette, and anecdotes. It is fully indexed and profusely illustrated with black-and-white photographs of the Old City Cemetery. We Food to Die For will be one of the most delightful and entertaining cookbooks you'll ever read!

181 pages, Spiral-bound

First published January 1, 2004

58 people want to read

About the author

Jessica B. Ward

2 books6 followers
Jessica Bemis Ward

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5 stars
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4 stars
8 (30%)
3 stars
3 (11%)
2 stars
1 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Profile Image for Rosie Grant.
12 reviews
June 8, 2025
I love that this book exists - some wonderful funerary traditions as well as recipes listed in it. A genius idea to have a cemetery cookbook and great model to generate funds for the cemetery.
7 reviews
January 6, 2024
Not only is it a very interesting book about cooking for those who are dealing with death, but I’m following some of the recipes and they are very good. I’m getting rave reviews from my neighbors.
I appreciate the many tips about what to say and how to be helpful to the bereaved. The history of the City Cemetery is very informative. A book well written!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
120 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2019
I read cookbooks the way other people read novels -- and this one is now one of my favorites.

Aside from recipes and cooking tips, there is practical advice, as well as tales from the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia. Totally charming!
Profile Image for Carol.
1,439 reviews34 followers
July 21, 2013
Love this cook book. I just bought the 'sequel' Food to Live For
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

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