Undertakings of an Undertaker: True Stories of Being Laid to Rest

by Stanley Swan

Could these remains, yet to be identified, be one of the victims of Rochester’s Genesee River killer? Did the mourner in the chapel with the casket and the deceased actually think there was an apparition present? Is it legal to bury a man with no pants? Would a man really drive his deceased wife to a mortuary instead of calling the authorities? Those ashes seeping from the fractured urn…imagined or real? The black cat visiting the deceased man’s wake… a family friend or fiend? These are just some of the intriguing, unusual and funny stories to be found in Undertakings of an True Stories of Being Laid to Rest. Author Stanley Swan spent 37 years in funeral service, making notes from day one, and he has now penned them to paper and put them into print for others to see. Here you will read about the challenges facing those in funeral service — the highs, the lows, the personal sacrifices and the rewards. You will also experience all of the emotions encountered during the day-to-day business of taking care of a community’s funeral and burial needs. Every story is true, as it really happened, with no embellishment, nothing left out…100-percent fact. Step into the world of funeral service, of which little has been written about over the last few decades. Funny, gut wrenching, chilling, unbelievable in many instances. Come take part in the Undertakings of an True Stories of Being Laid to Rest. A book you’ll want to share for sure!

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 23, 2015

Reviews

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting a bit *more* from this book - the stories told were very non-event. I guess my morbid curiosity expected a bit more nitty gritty but the experiences of the undertaker were little more than just everyday casual going’s on at his workplace (with exception to the section on 9/11). Luckily this book was very short (around 100 or so pages) so becoming bored wasn’t really an issue.

[Wendi Shoemaker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simply not what I was expecting. Was looking forward to some gruesome first hand stories from an experienced undertaker,but all I got was "cute" bits and pieces. There was even an awful misspelling of the town of Anniston,AL. Definitely do not recommend this read.

[Adelaide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable !

I had a great time reading this book and I would like to read it again. It is full of stories commemorating life of different people and their families. It is easy to read and brings a smile to your face. Enjoy !

[Scott Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and very amusing at times.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting. I was hoping for more unusual or inside stories of life as an undertaker. Instead, it was just a collection of the author's small little memories from his career, nothing really riveting or interesting. He discusses how he once was called to a scene with the victim of a serial killer, and then said "well isn't that interesting" without going deeper into who they were, how their life ended in such tragedy. Overall, a pretty dull read. Very disappointed.