International Death Toll: Black Death, Spanish Flu, and COVID-19
The challenge to deal with excessive death on a practical level has been met before. You’d expect that humanity, having weathered the Black Plague and Spanish Flu, would...
Deathcare Abroad
International Death Count: Impact of COVID on Caring for the Dead in All Corners of the Globe
In densely-populated countries with high COVID mortality rates – for example, India, Mexico, and Brazil – eventually it all comes down to the numbers. Sheer volume becomes the...
Why It’s Super Uncool to Be a Mortician in China
As I’m not a deathcare professional and you guys are way too humble to admit it, I’ll say it for you: You are special, amazing, outstanding people. Most...
Reimagining the Cemetery as Public Space
From the humble churchyard to glamorous memorial parks with manicured lawns, cemeteries all require one thing: land. As urban real estate becomes an increasingly valuable commodity, many cemeteries...
This O.G. Embalming Text Is The Ultimate Guide to Mummification
Last week’s Friday Funeral Fast Wrap included a cartoon illustrating one of the dangers of offering services personalized to “fit every individual and family” … Oddly enough (we...
Ancient Chinese Funeral Rituals Gaining New Popularity Online
Chinese funeral culture is having a moment on the internet. Steeped in thousands of years of tradition, China's funerals feature exquisitely handcrafted art that has drawn admirers from...