4. The Book Of Death: Kicking The Bucket In Style - Sarah McKenzie, Liz Poole, Amanda McKenzie

An impulse buy at the end of a trip to the $5 bookshop, actually turned out to be quite an interesting read.

It addresses the social views on death and dying, and quotes many people who are terminal or the carers and staff involved in funerals. The chapters range from how people come to accept they are dying (or not in some cases), and how they may then change their lives all the way to belief in the afterlife and near death experiences.

The most interesting part to me was the biological changes which occur after death and how funeral directors deal with them - very covering outfits, heavy-duty makeup etc. I only wished this chapter was longer with more detail, it is fascinating stuff and I just hope there is more written in this easy-to-read style.

In the chapters relating to acceptance and the afterlife, there are quite a few philosophical views, which I enjoyed reading as I’ve studied most of them before in high school. There is also substantial talk of funerals and suggestions on how to plan your own if you wish. Taking a lighthearted view, there are ‘famous last words’ of some celebrities which have become well-know and proposals on what to include in the eulogy.

All in all, an interesting albeit short read, with a comical - but not disrespectful, view of death.