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Casket Chronicles: Living and Working in a Funeral Home is not What You Might Think
Casket Chronicles is a collection of stories about the author’s experiences living and working in a funeral home while he was attending college. Some of the stories are hilarious. Some of the stories are heartbreaking. All of the stories are true.
Most people think of the funeral business as being very subdued where words are spoken in hushed tones and those who work in it are best described as “somber.” Like almost everything else in life, you never really know what goes on behind closed doors.
How could the station wagon used to pick up bodies just vanish? What did the waitress at the drive-in really think was in the back of the car? Why did the woman driving a Cadillac stop in the middle of the busy street in front of the funeral home and start screaming obscenities? How did a woman’s panties end up inside a casket?
The answers to these questions and other interesting tales are found on the pages of Casket Chronicles.
Most people think of the funeral business as being very subdued where words are spoken in hushed tones and those who work in it are best described as “somber.” Like almost everything else in life, you never really know what goes on behind closed doors.
How could the station wagon used to pick up bodies just vanish? What did the waitress at the drive-in really think was in the back of the car? Why did the woman driving a Cadillac stop in the middle of the busy street in front of the funeral home and start screaming obscenities? How did a woman’s panties end up inside a casket?
The answers to these questions and other interesting tales are found on the pages of Casket Chronicles.
- GenresNonfictionDeath
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2020
274 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 25, 2022
I'm typically not a sensitive person, but reading about how this guy and his friends basically used a funeral home as a frat house was incredibly frustrating. I would be furious if my loved one went to this funeral home and was handled by these absolute goons. The author was repeatedly disrespectful to the deceased. I understand some people use humor to cope with challenging situations, and handling a corpse is certainly a challenging situation, but I really didn't need a whole story about a dead lady with big huge boobs. It was so skeevy.
July 13, 2022
Not worth the time or money.
The sophomoric antics of a '60s college kid set in a funeral home. What a business gets when they hire on the cheap. Nothing about the real funeral business.
Pure bunk. The publisher should be ashamed.
The sophomoric antics of a '60s college kid set in a funeral home. What a business gets when they hire on the cheap. Nothing about the real funeral business.
Pure bunk. The publisher should be ashamed.
August 23, 2021
Interesting
While not a bad read, I just didn't like the guy. Arrogant, typical male. Very little tact at times, in my opinion.
While not a bad read, I just didn't like the guy. Arrogant, typical male. Very little tact at times, in my opinion.
April 1, 2024
Some of these situations really had me laughing. This was a good combination of stories you see and encounter in the funeral industry.
July 12, 2022
The ordinary and not so ordinary days in the life of caring for the deceased
At times sad, funny, lively and at times gross. Never knowing what was in store for you when the call came in requesting pick up of a dearly departed. Not to mention living among the dearly departed in the assistants living quarters.
At times sad, funny, lively and at times gross. Never knowing what was in store for you when the call came in requesting pick up of a dearly departed. Not to mention living among the dearly departed in the assistants living quarters.
December 5, 2022
Narcissist and fatphobic
About 30% mortuary and 70% egotistical fluffing. Each “story” was a gloss over of the case and the rest is his filler. I struggled finishing this book.
About 30% mortuary and 70% egotistical fluffing. Each “story” was a gloss over of the case and the rest is his filler. I struggled finishing this book.
May 4, 2023
Like 25% death industry, 75% "boys will be boys" shenanigans - including guns, drunk driving, and property damage.
February 22, 2024
Fantastic
I shed tears of laughter and tears of sadness in this quick read that every funeral director should read.. I promise you'll relate to almost every little story in some way! I read it in one sitting, couldn't put it down! Some of the stories were a little crude and no way this would fly in the industry now days, but back in the 60’s was a different time. Some of the stories I hated to relate to, but we’re all human at the end of the day and it was nicely written. Thanks for the laughs!
I shed tears of laughter and tears of sadness in this quick read that every funeral director should read.. I promise you'll relate to almost every little story in some way! I read it in one sitting, couldn't put it down! Some of the stories were a little crude and no way this would fly in the industry now days, but back in the 60’s was a different time. Some of the stories I hated to relate to, but we’re all human at the end of the day and it was nicely written. Thanks for the laughs!
March 18, 2022
I loved this book!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has everything in it from funny moments to very touching stories. The author's descriptions were clear and concise which made following the stories easy. If you're looking for a book that has a little bit of everything and is well written, this one is for you!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has everything in it from funny moments to very touching stories. The author's descriptions were clear and concise which made following the stories easy. If you're looking for a book that has a little bit of everything and is well written, this one is for you!
April 11, 2022
An interesting essay on the inner workings of a funeral home in the era of the late 1960s as told from a young man working his way through his first years of college. Although a light read, the book was entertaining and also heart wrenching as he told of death tragedies that affected him but fortunately he overcame.
July 5, 2023
Very entertaining and
Loved this book! Mr. Walters is an good example of a family storyteller! I laughed at his descriptions of the "capers" he and his "roomates" got into. I am a spouse of a funeral director and found his stories to be right on target when the emotion isn't laughable.
Loved this book! Mr. Walters is an good example of a family storyteller! I laughed at his descriptions of the "capers" he and his "roomates" got into. I am a spouse of a funeral director and found his stories to be right on target when the emotion isn't laughable.
July 20, 2024
fun but sometimes disrespectful
While the stories are occasionally funny and generally interesting, I found the authors discussion both to his coworkers and to the readers of the people (they aren’t just bodies, but someone that people love) to be disrespectful. Unnecessary and irrelevant to the stories, I found myself skipping those chapters/sections to get to other stories.
While the stories are occasionally funny and generally interesting, I found the authors discussion both to his coworkers and to the readers of the people (they aren’t just bodies, but someone that people love) to be disrespectful. Unnecessary and irrelevant to the stories, I found myself skipping those chapters/sections to get to other stories.
October 5, 2021
Gem of a Book
This is an absolutely delightful read. It took me back to the 1960’s and the events that defined that era. The author describes his life with clarity and humor and with few embellishments by his own admission. Five star recommendation!
This is an absolutely delightful read. It took me back to the 1960’s and the events that defined that era. The author describes his life with clarity and humor and with few embellishments by his own admission. Five star recommendation!
November 17, 2021
Fairly accurate
Being a 50 veteran of funeral service, I was pleasantly surprised how the stories of this writer, for the most part were accurate. Most books that I have read about funeral service are hackneyed and do not reflect realistic situations about our profession
Being a 50 veteran of funeral service, I was pleasantly surprised how the stories of this writer, for the most part were accurate. Most books that I have read about funeral service are hackneyed and do not reflect realistic situations about our profession
April 8, 2022
Must you be dying to read it?
Good read, describes things behind the scenes about which many have wondered. Easy read, relatable, well written. Funny in places, thought provoking in others. Would have liked to know what line of work the author eventually went in to
Good read, describes things behind the scenes about which many have wondered. Easy read, relatable, well written. Funny in places, thought provoking in others. Would have liked to know what line of work the author eventually went in to
May 6, 2022
Loved it!
I thought the book was well written and I laughed out loud at many of the adventures! Sounds like the author would enjoy most anything he did in life. I loved this light, funny and informative book!
I thought the book was well written and I laughed out loud at many of the adventures! Sounds like the author would enjoy most anything he did in life. I loved this light, funny and informative book!
May 15, 2022
I thought this was well written and honest. Individuals that work in a funeral home are people too and they are called upon 24/7 and you never know what situation you are going to walk in and he explains that in his writing.
There were humorous parts and sad parts , but that is life?
There were humorous parts and sad parts , but that is life?
September 24, 2022
The life of a young man.
This book was very interesting to read, yeah at times became very disjointed. But all in all I enjoyed it. If you’re interested in being a mortician, it’s a necessary read.
This book was very interesting to read, yeah at times became very disjointed. But all in all I enjoyed it. If you’re interested in being a mortician, it’s a necessary read.
July 4, 2023
Nothing scary here, just entertaining
What a way with words! Like all jobs, it has good and bad; here are very interesting & entertaining stories for an afternoon reading. He writes like talking to my favorite uncle.
What a way with words! Like all jobs, it has good and bad; here are very interesting & entertaining stories for an afternoon reading. He writes like talking to my favorite uncle.
June 14, 2024
I was so curious to read this book written about the young man's experiences living and working in a mortuary. He wrote about the sad things as well as humorous things, and I appreciate the respect he and his roommates had for the bereaved.
July 4, 2021
Loved it. I have a warped sense of humor, so this was great.
September 10, 2021
Very well written! I could relate to the times - late 60's and early 70's. Very insightful to learn about what is involved with embalming, removing the deceased, etc.
January 6, 2022
a Birds eye view of funeral busy
I laughed out loud at his humor and learned some new things as I read. You will enjoy it. I read from start to finish, very worthwhile.
I laughed out loud at his humor and learned some new things as I read. You will enjoy it. I read from start to finish, very worthwhile.
March 12, 2022
Good reminiscence
Like the first person account of loving and working in a funeral home. Funeral directors also have fun and normal lives.
Like the first person account of loving and working in a funeral home. Funeral directors also have fun and normal lives.
April 9, 2022
Amusing
This book is amazing and sobering and it makes us think about life and about death. For people in curious about the funeral industry.
Enjoy!
This book is amazing and sobering and it makes us think about life and about death. For people in curious about the funeral industry.
Enjoy!
April 17, 2022
We've all said that we could write a book about our jobs, well he did. I enjoyed the book and could visualize his stories.
May 1, 2022
This was okay. Not really my cup of tea but it fulfilled a requirement on a book challenge I'm doing.
May 2, 2022
Worth the read.
Very interesting and funny at times. I felt as if some of the chapters were more about the writer than the job he performed.
Very interesting and funny at times. I felt as if some of the chapters were more about the writer than the job he performed.
May 7, 2022
An interesting, if mildly morbid, quick read
I liked the author’s style of writing and voice. Equal parts morbid, funny, and somber. Read it one sitting. Yeah.
I liked the author’s style of writing and voice. Equal parts morbid, funny, and somber. Read it one sitting. Yeah.
September 21, 2022
It was an interesting book. I’ve always wondered about death, funeral homes, etc. I enjoyed reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews