Doughty, Caitlin

". . . author and licensed mortician Caitlin Doughty answers real questions from kids about death, dead bodies, and decomposition. Every day, funeral director Caitlin Doughty receives dozens of questions about death. What would happen to an astronaut's body if it were pushed out of a space shuttle? Do people poop when they die? Can Grandma have a Viking funeral? . . . [This book] blends her scientific understanding of the body and the . . . history behind common misconceptions about corpses to offer factual, hilarious, and candid answers to thirty-five urgent questions posed by her youngest fans. Readers will learn what happens if you die on an airplane, the best soil for mummifying your dog, and whether or not you can preserve your friend's skull as a keepsake"--Provided by publisher.

Describes death customs and rituals from around the world, exploring how they compare to the impersonal American system and how mourners respond best when they participate in caring for the deceased.

The author's job at a crematory became her career. She cared for bodies of every color, shape, and size. She marvels at the complexities of undertaking and her memoir is by turns hilarious, dark, and uplifting, and shows how the fear of dying warps our society.

Caitlin Doughty shares the life lessons she has learned from working as a licensed mortician.