MORE COFFEE & DONUTS with the DEARLY DEPARTED: VOL 2: Working My Way Through College as a Mortician's Apprentice

by Steve Frenzl

COFFEE & DONUTS… VOLUME 2 wraps up the author’s mortuary adventures. Due to the success (more truthfully, survival) of Embalming Lesson 3, Steve is quickly promoted to “apprentice” which means now he does pretty much embalming, dressing, cosmetics, customer relations, funeral services, burials. Plus he learns why stink stinks, all the reasons NOT to smoke, and discover how much deader than dead a body can get. In addition, he assists with autopsies, completes a hole-in-the-head art project, creates a mini-Cyclops, knows when NOT to fly an airplane, stops asking why some people are even alive (because the Grim Reaper apparently hears), and much more. There are also brain games, including MUSINGS DE FORMALDEHYDE with a little old lady at 2 AM, and what it might be like to observe the body-preparation process as a case, meaning FROM THE OTHER SIDE. VOLUME 2 ends with a miraculous BILLION-TO-ONE GOODBYE phone conversation with Norm, who became the “greatest grandpa” a young mortician’s apprentice could ever have. Readers are also invited to use the LIFE-ALONE PLANNER (a digital workbook) that was instigated by the author's observations that the vast majority of survivors returned home after the loss of a loved one to live life alone, wholly unprepared to do so. The workbook enables couples to plan ahead, thus providing guidance and peace of mind for the surviving partner. The PLANNER is FREE and can be downloaded at

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2018

About the author

Steve was raised on a dryland wheat farm in eastern Colorado in the 1950s and '60s. To say the least, the place was a tough go for a farming family, thus when accepted at the University of Colorado, he worked his way through school, including a job as a nightman and apprentice at a local mortuary.

After graduation, Steve worked in the marketing/advertising industry four decades. On retirement he joined a Tuesday morning men's group full of "very old guys" who (no surprise) wanted to talk a lot about death since they were all heading that way, it looked like, sooner than later. Steve's mortuary memories became weekly highlights and upon their request "YOU NEED TO WRITE A BOOK...AND MAKE IT FUNNY, LIKE YOUR STORIES!" -- he did.

A bi-product of the memoir is a LIFE-ALONE PLANNER based on Steve's mortuary observations that most survivors went home wholly unprepared to live alone. Download the PLANNER for FREE from his blog site https://coffeeanddonuts.biz.

Reviews

[TRACY BONDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Stuff for those with curiosity & interest in Mortuary Science!

I thoroughly enjoyed both of these books! I find the whole industry fascinating and these stories covered so many various cases & topics. It was humorous yet interesting, dark yet necessary. A imperfect read for those with this type of interest. Highly recommend BOTH of these books. Thank you for sharing your broad experiences as well as recommendations and download for your own personal preparations. I would be thrilled if you had enough stories for volume three!

[Cheri Durbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, I enjoyed both volumes!

I really enjoyed both of Steve’s books. He writes in a very down to earth way. Also all the nods to the 60’s (I’m a 67 baby) kept me entertained. I plan to download his planner and complete it asap. It’s a very real issue that people don’t want to discuss, but I believe it’s important enough regardless. Most of us have seen the aftermath of someone losing a spouse, and if it can be made even a little easier, just do it.
Great stories, really interesting and I would highly recommend if you have an interest in this field.

[Sandyb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too many donuts

I found this book and the first one very interesting and informative. I have wondered a lot about the mortuary business and I feel Steve covered it well . He used humor and empathy to tell tales of the undertakings of an undertaker. I think one needs a strong stomach to read these books and curiosity. Sometimes! My teeth and stomach hurt thinking about one person consuming three of four donuts at one time.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Coffee and Donuts with the Dearly Departed are really great reads. Both books are educational, entertaining, funny, sad and even a little creepy. When have you ever read anything that has ALL those emotions in one book? Couldn't put either book down--read from start to finish!!

[Richard J Leow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating well written stories.

[Mike Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great book, easy to read and keep your attention, can't recommend it more highly. Start with volume one and then download his free family planner.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

This book is so down to earth. I enjoyed reading it , I laugh and cried but I felt the love. Thank you for sharing a part of your life with me.

[Mr T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Enthralling read of both books.
Wish Steve had stayed longer and produced another volume.
very well written with feeling with some humour

[Donna McDermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

more tales of death

I enjoyed the first book more but not sure why as they deal with the same topic. Can’t access the links in the book either which is a great shame.

[June Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

very informative

The author leaves no stone unturned with regards to the explanation of the death process and does so in a highly entertaining way.