From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death

To say the least this book is a complete eye opener. I barely knew about death practices in my own country let alone how many different ways throughout the world and in history. It really made me think. A lot! Truly excellent writing. Highly recommend whether you're a person that enjoys morbid things or are just comfortable with the reality that we all die.

I recently lost my dad, and this book was a great read! It helps to understand different culture’s response to death and honoring those lost.

An interesting quick read. Love her writing style. I want to get more of her books

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, Doughty's writing has a serious and yet pleasant tone to it. She makes jokes without making fun of the dead or of the sacredness of dying. She writes about her travels in a way that seeks to genuinely explore the cultures that she visits, rather than capture them in some exploitative way. Maybe my final takeaway from this book is that it gave me a lot of consideration on how I would like my body to be handled after death, and asking my parents the same.

Interesting informative and gives you a completely different way to view death and the dying. I highly recommend all her books and I am not much into books but hers just have a perfect amount of classy respectful humor within a very well written accounts of her experience working in the death industry through her books I have found death to not be as fearful as it was before learning the depth she bring to life and death. It’s now something I have come to accept as part of life and is all our fate and knowing that I don’t truly fear it as much as fear grief over losing my parents but I will handle it much better after reading her wonderful books and following her on social media

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.

Doughty’s honesty as she shares her experiences has expanded my perspective on death, grief and how to honor both meaningfully and respectively. The different rituals are humbling and powerful.

"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 the doors of communication with our family members.Getting back to the subject of the book, I can only speak from the perspective of someone already in agreement wanting to learn more. And I was happy for the education. Learning about other cultures and their relationship with Death and the dead, it brings a sliver of light. That light, unfortunately, also makes the flaws of our own death culture, but hopefully the days to come bring change.The stories and experiences told through Caitlin's perspective are as ever-charming as she, and I can easily picture her in each situation. These are not unbiased experiences, of course, but is a bias towards a peaceful and dignified relationship with Death a bad thing, honestly? As someone who wants a natural burial and a "green" death, I was thrilled to learn about more options fighting for their rightful place in society. I now know of organizations to fight for, and perhaps donate my body to. The talented illustrations were equal parts entertaining and educational.If you are reaching for this book out of curiosity (morbid or otherwise), then welcome. I hope you learn something new. I hope it makes you think, perhaps rethink. I hope you can feel Caitlin's passion and drive within the words and pages. Perhaps give a look at her channel and/or her website. Happy reading, fellow and future Deathlings!

It was interesting, simple, informative, modern, gruesome as well as light hearted and funny. Very well written. I would definitely re-read as there is more to be enjoyed from it.

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!

Such a beautiful book full of some of the most well-told stories about death, death positivity, and the strangest people that everyone knows a version of. Caitlin is one of my favourite story-tellers in general and you can certainly read this book in her voice at most times. The illustrations are illuminating while going well with a rich text. Also the cover in hardcover and paperback are gorgeous.

Fan de Caitlin et de sa façon de nous parler de la mort. Je suis conquise et je trouve fantastique le travail qu'elle réalise avec sa société et son collectif.

It's realy plesant to read and even by knowing a lot on the topic i was surprised a few times :) And the drawings in it are a realy nice addition. Book came in perfect condition.