Explore the World to Discover the Meaning of a Good Death in "From Here to Eternity"

H. Carr: I've always been interested in death culture; especially in how different other cultures are from the US where we don't talk about it, and hide most aspects of it. Reading this book was a fascinating peek into how other cultures handle death. I really enjoyed it, and will be seeking out similar books to learn more.

United States on Aug 10, 2023

Piyali Mukherjee: These essays span a range of countries and cultures that Doughty has witnessed processing their dead and their grief. Not only did I learn about the process of embalming, cremating and burial, but also I learned about the emotional value of ritual, of showing up and of how commercialization of deathcare has led to a growing sanitization and suppression of genuine grief.

Some of the essays genuinely made me think about the autonomy that women are allowed to have over their bodies (and whether their choice of death is a final grasping claim for it). Some of the essays also made me realize, as Doughty puts it, that the American need for a dignified aesthetic death actually takes away from the fact that death and grief are emotionally messy. By not providing actual time for the families and loved ones to process the absence of their deceased, to appreciate the decomposing body as not just a corpse but as a vessel of their loved one, and by not providing a safe shameless space for grief, Commercial American funeral services aren't letting people find the emotional connection and closure that death provides.

I also like that despite the constant discussion of death,...

United States on Jul 04, 2023

Laura Herrera: I recently lost 2 important people in my life and I can't relate to the way my culture deals with grief. Really enjoy how other cultures do it!

Germany on Jul 04, 2023

Joyce Ando: Wow. Caitlin Doughty gives you the facts and everything you didn't know about death a wonderful spin through customs and curiosities in other countries. She makes death a lot easier to accept, being our final destination, after all. I can't get enough of her writings as well as her You Tube appearances covering events you never knew about.

United States on Jun 20, 2023

Ariel B.: A wonderful, chuckle-worthy, deep, eye-opening read from a thoughtful and caring author. I've long enjoyed watching Doughty's videos on YouTube, I appreciate the humor and kindness she brings to a sensitive topic, and it continues to ring true in her writing. This book had been on my list for a while and thankfully it was a requirement for my Psychology of Death and Dying class. It is very informative, shares fascinating and captivating stories, and everyone should give it a read.

United States on May 06, 2023

Amazon Customer: Well written, entertaining.

United Kingdom on Jan 14, 2023

Amazon Customer: "No matter what it takes, the hard work begins for the West to haul our fear, shame, and grief surrounding death out into the disinfecting light of the sun."

I was first introduced to the singular energy of Caitlin Doughty via her Youtube channel, Ask a Mortician, as I'm sure many others have as well. To say that Caitlin (and by extension The Order of the Good Death) has changed my life would not quite do her work justice. She changed my life by changing my death, and the way I view it.

Long before Caitlin, I knew that embalming/ burial was just not for me. I always thought cremation was my only other option, and so I settled my mind to it. But just as the book sets out to explain (and in my personal experience, accomplishes), the Western views and in fact culture surrounding death is not only limited, but capitalistic and toxic in its roots. Learning from Caitlin's videos, this book, and The Order, I know with certainty what my death plan is (still leaving room for some improvisation, of course). My sister, who is also a fan, has begun contemplating hers, and together we have began the conversation. We are hoping to soon begin (slowly and unthreateningly) opening...

United States on Feb 23, 2021

Amanda: Caitlin writes about death and it’s rituals as if she is having a chat with you. I wondered about her easy writing style & then read that she has a degree in History. Ahh a fellow historian, all that reading and essay writing, collating information and long book lists. This is just a big essay for Caitlin..
I adored the comparisons and descriptions of death rituals and “coping mechanisms” - most of which I would know nothing about if not for this entertaining and informative book.
I appreciated the great descriptions of the people and the places - my favourite HAS to be the Buddha Burial Temple.
It bounces easily from one culture to another, little dense tastes. Well chosen, well written, giving you a good idea and thirst for more...
I think Caitlin should do a Book2. Go to places she missed - as funds obviously ran low. China, Africa, Iceland, Korea (north?), New Zealand ( she can stay with us to save $$) and maybe a Pacific island ( Solomon, Trobriand, Papua, Aitutaki)
Caitlin, please keep going with all your work, love it all. Been watching your YouTube from almost the start and love your books.
I do recommend this great book, but watch the YouTube...

Australia on Feb 06, 2020

Molly: I don't usually write reviews but this has been the first book I've read in a while that really stood out. I keep recommending people lend it from me and they always give me funny looks...who would want to read about death? Well, apparently lots of people... but they all pretend it is above them. However, engaging in topics covered in the book stirs up interesting debates they actively engage in.
It's an amazing read. I'm a person who has always loved learning about cultures my entire life and this book was just the perfect addition to my personal education. It was just so enjoyable to read and you didn't feel patronised or thrown into the deep end at any point (imagine, a fun educational science video on youtube... that sort of setting). Needless to say, I'd recommend this book so much. It's funny, iconic, and it left me feeling enthusiastic to spread the word on a bunch of subjects we fear to bring up in conversation in our sheltered 'western' world. If you get anything from this book, it will definately give you ice breaker conversations... and you'll find your niche with people who want to openly talk about these things! Just, buy it. If you watch her YouTube videos and are...

United Kingdom on Feb 26, 2018

J. Proctor: Having read Caitlin's last book "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", I eagerly anticipated "From Here To Eternity" when I learned that she was in the process of writing it.

And I honestly can't recommend it highly enough.

Reading about the death practices of other countries might not be everybody's cup of tea, but "From Here To Eternity" is written in such a way that you can't help but like it. I read every part of it, including the references, which I don't always do, but I could hardly put this down, I was so fascinated by it.

We have a strange relationship with death, for the main, in England. However, if more people were to read books like this one (I can't say that there is an over-abundance of them because I just don't know) I think there would probably be a shift in how we look at the physical aspect of death and dying as a biological process (because it is, after all, just another biological process), how we treat people when and after they die and actually what we *do* with the dead. After all, these people were once a part of us, as we are of them and they deserve our respect, even after they are gone. Not our fear. Not our desire to make their bodies last for...

United Kingdom on Feb 15, 2018