Even at the Grave

by Lisa G. Saunders

One funeral at a time. That's how Lisa Saunders tells her story of being a priest, wife, and mother. An Episcopal priest for over thirty years, officiating at funerals became the defining and most compelling work of her career. Through burials she writes about her marriage and struggle to be a working mother, making peace with tragedy, and understanding suicide and mental illness. She grapples with the effects of racism--including her own--and learns from those with the courage and verve to grow old with gusto. From burying eight horses destroyed in a fire, to AIDS victims abandoned by their families, and an 82-year-old woman who was cared for in her final years by the birth mother of her adopted son, Lisa discovered generosity and grace, even at the grave. This is not a sad memoir. It might make you cry, but you will laugh out loud too. You will meet a lot of people at their best and at their last, you will be the better for it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

178 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2017

Reviews

[Christina Dudley]

This was a perfect Holy Week read, and I thank Tammy for sending it my way. Saunders writes of her life and her learnings as a priest in the Episcopalian church and general human being on the planet. In such a short book she touches on so much: death, mental illness, suicide, illness, her failings and where God has met her and others in them. It sounds heavy, but it's actually not, and I was even laughing out loud in places. It seemed like every chapter spoke to something in my own experience or in the lives of friends and family. Highly recommended.

[Gina]

Beautiful stories of bereavement and ministry to the sick. Having volunteered in hospital ministry for over 15 years, these stories sounded all too familiar. Her feelings of inadequacy and honesty are so endearing. No one can be taught how to deal with grief and the profound ways it affects families. Lisa has mastered it over her many years as a priest.

[Linda Stephenson]

This is the kind of book that makes you want to underline phrases and mark passages to read again later. It also makes me think I need to step up my gamer before MY eulogy is written! Loved this sweet book.

[Molly]

This book has helped me heal from losing Five Greats, four aunts and an uncle. Their deaths impacted me each in a different way. Reading this book helped remind me to live how they taught me to live by genuinely listening, doing things even if your scared, and letting knowledge and love overflow.

[Rebecca]

One of the most lovely books I have read in a long time.

[Drew]

Well written memoir with tender, deep wisdom that blesses, consoles and offers hope.

[Laura]

enchanting, surprising, dear

[Sharon Hardin]

An absolutely lovely book.