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Six Feet Down Under: Memoirs of a New Zealand Funeral Director
When people hear you are a Funeral Director the reactions vary. Some will quickly change the subject, but the majority of people will ask plenty of questions.
This is because there is an element of mystique about the profession. Consequently, people want to know what you do, and what you’ve seen.
This book starts from my early days as a Funeral Director’s assistant through to becoming a Funeral Director. It covers stories of tragedy, stories of laughter, stories of interest and some of the things that can and do go wrong!
I worked for a leading Auckland funeral directing firm for eight years. I worked there on two separate occasions—1986 to 1989 and again in 1998 to 2003.
This is my story, my thoughts, my observations. From dealing with bereaved families, or helping the New Zealand Police at tragic roadside smashes and murders, through to the funerals themselves. From funerals attended by the Prime Minister and high class society, to funerals attended by street kids and drug addicts. From funerals where attendance is in the thousands, through to the funerals where nobody came!
A Funeral Directors job is not all grief and sad stories. There is sadness associated with this industry, but it also has many moments of laughter, joy and boredom.
However, it is always, always interesting.
This is because there is an element of mystique about the profession. Consequently, people want to know what you do, and what you’ve seen.
This book starts from my early days as a Funeral Director’s assistant through to becoming a Funeral Director. It covers stories of tragedy, stories of laughter, stories of interest and some of the things that can and do go wrong!
I worked for a leading Auckland funeral directing firm for eight years. I worked there on two separate occasions—1986 to 1989 and again in 1998 to 2003.
This is my story, my thoughts, my observations. From dealing with bereaved families, or helping the New Zealand Police at tragic roadside smashes and murders, through to the funerals themselves. From funerals attended by the Prime Minister and high class society, to funerals attended by street kids and drug addicts. From funerals where attendance is in the thousands, through to the funerals where nobody came!
A Funeral Directors job is not all grief and sad stories. There is sadness associated with this industry, but it also has many moments of laughter, joy and boredom.
However, it is always, always interesting.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 13, 2011
A fascinating look at the funeral industry in New Zealand. Former funeral director, Chris Mann describes the 8 years he spent working for an Auckland Funeral Home. He tells of his many experiences, including assisting police at fatal accidents. His profession is one that always attracts a lot of curiosity – people are always interested in the processes that are carried out after a death. Mann talks about bereaved families, the funerals where attendance is in the thousands – and the ones where no-one comes at all. It’s not a job that any one could do – there are tragedies and sadness – but Mann also talks about the joy of celebrating the deceased’s life, and there are many moments of laughter too where things don’t quite go according to plan.
Chris Mann and the funeral trade featured on 60 Minutes recently. He his now in the Police force, having developed a passion for this career after his years of attending accident scenes
Chris Mann and the funeral trade featured on 60 Minutes recently. He his now in the Police force, having developed a passion for this career after his years of attending accident scenes
February 18, 2024
Decent, very "self-published" account of working as Funeral director in the late 80s and throughout the 90s. Here's some good, bad, ugly...
The Good:
1. The writer is very authentically him and writes in a no nonsense manner. He makes it clear that being a Funeral Director is a job, there's no navel gazing about it being a vocation, there's no shying away from the fact it is a business.
2. The author's writing is clunky but it captures his voice.
3. The book is an honest reflection of the industry, warts and all, as it existed.
The bad:
1. The content is dated. Thankfully the industry has started to evolve with the larger, more business orientated homes becoming more caring and honest in their approach (e.g. not pushing embalming, expensive caskets etc), and generally more diverse in the services they offer to families; while smaller, more boutique and naturally focused/death positive players have emerged.
2. The book needed an editor. We all do! As a fellow self-published writer who has and has not used an editor, I notice the difference.
3. His approach to the role as purely a job is a blessing and a curse. As I mentioned in "the good," I admire this approach, but I also know Funeral Directors who take a more vocational approach and some whose work is grounded in spirituality and I think that adds an extra dimension to the service they provide. The author is just too clinical.
The Ugly:
1. Some serious instances of unprofessionalism. I could not believe he brought friends and his partner along to police call outs. I get he was just a kid at the time but to me, that is a fireable offence.
2. Very judgmental and dated views on suicide. His lack of empathy towards suicide victims is by far the worst part of the book.
In summary, a decent book by a decent man and worth the read, but I am glad the industry is moving on from how it was when he was in it!
The Good:
1. The writer is very authentically him and writes in a no nonsense manner. He makes it clear that being a Funeral Director is a job, there's no navel gazing about it being a vocation, there's no shying away from the fact it is a business.
2. The author's writing is clunky but it captures his voice.
3. The book is an honest reflection of the industry, warts and all, as it existed.
The bad:
1. The content is dated. Thankfully the industry has started to evolve with the larger, more business orientated homes becoming more caring and honest in their approach (e.g. not pushing embalming, expensive caskets etc), and generally more diverse in the services they offer to families; while smaller, more boutique and naturally focused/death positive players have emerged.
2. The book needed an editor. We all do! As a fellow self-published writer who has and has not used an editor, I notice the difference.
3. His approach to the role as purely a job is a blessing and a curse. As I mentioned in "the good," I admire this approach, but I also know Funeral Directors who take a more vocational approach and some whose work is grounded in spirituality and I think that adds an extra dimension to the service they provide. The author is just too clinical.
The Ugly:
1. Some serious instances of unprofessionalism. I could not believe he brought friends and his partner along to police call outs. I get he was just a kid at the time but to me, that is a fireable offence.
2. Very judgmental and dated views on suicide. His lack of empathy towards suicide victims is by far the worst part of the book.
In summary, a decent book by a decent man and worth the read, but I am glad the industry is moving on from how it was when he was in it!
June 19, 2023
A very interesting account of a New Zealand funeral director.
It was good to read about things we don't see for ourselves. Very interesting look behind the scenes with lots of cases included for context. Obviously not everyone likes books like this but I love true stories and this was great. Surprisingly there was even plenty of humour in this, which wasn't expected! Death can be funny sometimes!
Gruesome in places as well which is natural, I couldn't do that job for all the money in the world but for some people they love this kind of thing. I like morbid subject matters so I did enjoy this and better that it was free on Kindle Unlimited!
I have just discovered there was a second book, I will definitely try that at some point.
It was good to read about things we don't see for ourselves. Very interesting look behind the scenes with lots of cases included for context. Obviously not everyone likes books like this but I love true stories and this was great. Surprisingly there was even plenty of humour in this, which wasn't expected! Death can be funny sometimes!
Gruesome in places as well which is natural, I couldn't do that job for all the money in the world but for some people they love this kind of thing. I like morbid subject matters so I did enjoy this and better that it was free on Kindle Unlimited!
I have just discovered there was a second book, I will definitely try that at some point.
April 23, 2020
Loved this book, I used to work in a funeral home and can relate to almost everything, Chris tells it like it is and it’s all true, onto the next now “more six feet down under” and Chris please do another how about “even more six feet down under” loved the book, don’t take my word for it, buy it and see for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
March 13, 2020
Great book, was particularly interesting looking into the life of a New Zealand funeral director. The book is filled with lots of fascinating stories that shine light into an industry that is not often thought about. I found this book incredibly hard to put down and would recommend to anyone.
December 4, 2022
very interesting
Very interesting book all about the life of funeral work and death. Some bits are a bit gruesome but, overall, the work is informative and educational. I do wonder if I’m weird though in reading these sort of books but I’ve read quite a few and enjoyed them.
Very interesting book all about the life of funeral work and death. Some bits are a bit gruesome but, overall, the work is informative and educational. I do wonder if I’m weird though in reading these sort of books but I’ve read quite a few and enjoyed them.
May 28, 2019
Self published - very interesting stories about working in the funeral industry, but needed a more careful edit for flow of readability.
February 19, 2023
Complete absence of human interest coupled with '80s attitudes to funeral directing. Avoid.
November 2, 2012
The book was ok, I did find it a little boring in some places but it was interesting to have an incite into the funeral world.
This were interesting parts of it and interesting stories about what can happen and what does happen when you go and pick up a body. There was funny stories and sad stories.
One thing about the writer was at 17 years of age, he was a very clued up young man who entered into this type of business with the greatest of gusto and compassion for the dead and he gave his job his 100% attention at 17. Quite amazing.
This were interesting parts of it and interesting stories about what can happen and what does happen when you go and pick up a body. There was funny stories and sad stories.
One thing about the writer was at 17 years of age, he was a very clued up young man who entered into this type of business with the greatest of gusto and compassion for the dead and he gave his job his 100% attention at 17. Quite amazing.
January 14, 2012
Liked the book. It was certainly an interesting read of the less unseen parts of life, or rather, death. Happens all the time.Iit was enlightening to know what is going to happen to these old bones. A little graphic in parts. Hope you have a strong stomach.
January 12, 2013
Enjoyable book with a few giggles along the way, I know, who would have thought.
Interesting bits to learn along the way.
Interesting bits to learn along the way.
March 1, 2011
book 22 of 2011 - aim 133 books for 2011 -- started this afternoon (feb 26 2011)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews