The Business of Death
GOOD Magazine takes us on a journey through the Business of Death. Throughout the developed world the business surrounding death has often been an uneasy topic of discussion. Originating in the mid-19th Century, the modern funeral has evolved into an economic and cultural monster, with a vast network of supporting industries and myriad options for your earthly remains. (h/t C&L)
| Permalink | author bio | 
Comments (2)
Thanks Tyler -- I never would have stumbled across that -- or Good Magazine -- on my own.
One of the last frames in the video quoted Jessica Mitford, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Mitford ) who in 1963 published a book call "The American Way of Death." It's still a good read. Rumor has it that the American funeral industry, and in particular the California funeral industry, tried to have the book banned.
For a good laugh on the same topic, see Evelyn Waugh's 1948 satire "The Loved One". ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Loved_One ), or rent the 1965 movie. ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059410/ ) It has a great cast: Robert Morse; Jonathan Winters; Anjanette Comer; Dana Andrews; Milton Berle; James Coburn; John Gielgud; Tab Hunter; Liberace; Roddy McDowall; Robert Morley; Barbara Nichols; Lionel Stander, and more.
Comment #1 Posted by: phalarope | November 9, 2007 04:41 PM
Priceless! What an up-beat video on death!!
Please bury me in an eco-friendly card board box, under a tree.
Ojai needs green funerals!
Comment #2 Posted by: Suza | November 9, 2007 09:26 PM