The American Way of Death Revisited

The American Way of Death Revisited examines the practices and economics of the American funeral industry. This updated version of Mitford's 1963 exposé reveals the inner workings of the death care business, from marketing techniques to pricing structures. Mitford conducts interviews with industry insiders and investigates funeral homes, cemeteries, and related businesses across the United States. Her research documents the costs associated with funerals and burial services, while analyzing how these services are sold to grieving families. Through case studies and industry documents, the book tracks changes in funeral practices from the 1960s through the 1990s. The narrative moves between personal accounts and broader analysis of industry trends, regulations, and corporate consolidation. The work stands as both an investigation of American consumer culture and a critique of how commerce intersects with death rituals. It raises questions about the commodification of grief and the evolution of funeral traditions in modern society.

Readers appreciate Mitford's investigative journalism and dark humor in exposing funeral industry practices. Many note the book's relevance despite its age, with one Goodreads reviewer stating "the tactics she describes are still used today." Readers highlight the detailed research into pricing, marketing techniques, and industry regulations. Multiple reviews mention the book helped them make informed decisions about funeral arrangements. Common criticisms include repetitive content and dated examples. Several readers found the tone too cynical, with one Amazon reviewer noting "her bias shows through too strongly." Some felt the updated edition needed more substantial revisions. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (900+ ratings) The book maintains strong interest among readers focused on consumer rights, death care industry reform, and investigative journalism. Many reviewers recommend reading it before needing funeral services.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach This investigation into what happens to human bodies after death explores the scientific, commercial, and cultural aspects of death with a focus on the industry that handles human remains.

Final Rights: Reclaiming the American Way of Death by Joshua Slocum and Lisa Carlson This exposé reveals the inner workings of the modern funeral industry while providing information about funeral consumer rights and alternative death care options.

Grave Matters: A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial by Mark Harris The book examines the environmental impact of conventional burial practices and presents alternatives through case studies of families who chose different paths.

Rest in Peace: A Cultural History of Death and the Funeral Home in Twentieth-Century America by Gary Laderman This historical analysis traces the evolution of American funeral practices and the rise of the death care industry throughout the 1900s.

Death's Summer Coat: What the History of Death and Dying Teaches Us About Life and Living by Brandy Schillace The text explores how different cultures and time periods have approached death, burial practices, and mourning rituals through a historical and anthropological lens.

🌟 Jessica Mitford wrote the original version of this book (The American Way of Death) in 1963, causing such a stir in the funeral industry that President John F. Kennedy requested a copy of the book. ⚰️ The author grew up in an aristocratic British family but became a self-proclaimed "muckraker," known for exposing corruption in various American industries through investigative journalism. 📚 The updated version, published in 1998 shortly after Mitford's death, reveals how the funeral industry had become even more expensive and corporate-controlled, with the average funeral cost rising from $750 in 1963 to over $7,800 in 1998. 🏢 Mitford's exposé helped lead to the Federal Trade Commission's "Funeral Rule" in 1984, which requires funeral homes to provide itemized price lists and prohibits them from requiring unnecessary services. 💰 The book revealed that funeral directors often marked up casket prices by 300-500%, and used psychological tactics to shame bereaved families into purchasing expensive services they didn't need or want.