From Here to Eternity: Travelling the World to Find the Good Death

I have never heard of some of the burial rituals that was was written about in this book, but have decided on what I want for when I finally pop my clogs. It was funny and very interesting to me. A great read.

I don't usually write reviews but this has been the first book I've read in a while that really stood out. I keep recommending people lend it from me and they always give me funny looks...who would want to read about death? Well, apparently lots of people... but they all pretend it is above them. However, engaging in topics covered in the book stirs up interesting debates they actively engage in. It's an amazing read. I'm a person who has always loved learning about cultures my entire life and this book was just the perfect addition to my personal education. It was just so enjoyable to read and you didn't feel patronised or thrown into the deep end at any point (imagine, a fun educational science video on youtube... that sort of setting). Needless to say, I'd recommend this book so much. It's funny, iconic, and it left me feeling enthusiastic to spread the word on a bunch of subjects we fear to bring up in conversation in our sheltered 'western' world. If you get anything from this book, it will definately give you ice breaker conversations... and you'll find your niche with people who want to openly talk about these things! Just, buy it. If you watch her YouTube videos and are even vaguely interested, you'll definately enjoy this. Oh, and for hardbacks: The cover? Beautiful. The inner cover? A beautiful colour and so simple.

It was interesting, simple, informative, modern, gruesome as well as light hearted and funny. Very well written. I would definitely re-read as there is more to be enjoyed from it.

Death, or rather, “burial” practices and final goodbyes, as well as ongoing post-mortem honouring of the dead, are the key topics explored in this book. The author takes us on global tour exploring different cultures and practices for honouring the dead. The entire time, comparing and contrasting these to those practiced in the West (US in particular) advocating at all times against the disenfranchised and distancing rituals we practice, as if death could be tricked or avoided by a pane of glass or a thick casket. Very worthwhile read. Makes one think.

Having read Caitlin's last book "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", I eagerly anticipated "From Here To Eternity" when I learned that she was in the process of writing it. And I honestly can't recommend it highly enough. Reading about the death practices of other countries might not be everybody's cup of tea, but "From Here To Eternity" is written in such a way that you can't help but like it. I read every part of it, including the references, which I don't always do, but I could hardly put this down, I was so fascinated by it. We have a strange relationship with death, for the main, in England. However, if more people were to read books like this one (I can't say that there is an over-abundance of them because I just don't know) I think there would probably be a shift in how we look at the physical aspect of death and dying as a biological process (because it is, after all, just another biological process), how we treat people when and after they die and actually what we *do* with the dead. After all, these people were once a part of us, as we are of them and they deserve our respect, even after they are gone. Not our fear. Not our desire to make their bodies last for ever by embalming them either. Did you know that in Japan they have a 95% cremation rate? I learned that from this book. Also, the Diás de los Muertos carnival didn't inspire the one in the Bond film? It was the other way round! There is a whole wealth of death cultures in the world that we in the main don't even know about (I think this is largely probably to do with the fear of death that so many people in the West have, but we can't avoid it can we?) and reading this book opens our eyes a little. If you haven't read "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" either, buy them both. Read them on the bounce. Expand your mind a little and let's all become more death positive. I already know what I would like to happen to my mortal remains after I die - and this doesn't include pumping them full of formaldehyde! Do you?

After reading Doughty's previous title (and being subscribed to her YouTube channel for years) I was immediately interested in reading her other work. I wasn't disappointed! One of the most impressive things about her writing to me is her ability to be serious without losing the light-heartedness or humour. This is a great thing for somebody who may be death anxious as it eases them into reading such morbid topics without sacrificing any facts or her opinions. I have recommended the previous title to a friend who is death-phobic and he said he found it very comforting to read as it wasn't all doom and gloom I would recommend to anyone, wether they be into the macbre or even people who are scared to death (see what I did there?) about the subject. I look forward to any future titles!

Fantastic book! I have been a follower of Caitlin's YouTube channel for a while, so I had an idea of what to expect. I was not disappointed, the book is fascinating, educating, respectful, openminded, encouraging and thought-provoking. Her writing style is just the right amount of informal and chatty for me. I studied anthropology and always had an interest in rites and views on mortality and the like. I would say this book is the informal counterpart of some of my required uni reads (and therefore so much more fun...). Highly recommend!

Reading how different cultures deal and accept death in so many different ways, and how some of those ways would be so unacceptable to us, really opens your mind around the subject.

A coherent example of actually giving the reader exactly what the title says. The book, which is written as a mixture of personal stories and well researched additional information, paints a clear image of different funeral practices (as well as dealing with death in general) around the world. It is highly interesting and very informative, while never failing to entertain. Would highly recommend!!

How do other people think and behave about death around the world ? Will I have my dead body burnt ? Shall hearse get me into an hellish subway station ? Read this awesome book and you'll find out. A very interesting book about the dead, for those who, will be dead too.

It's realy plesant to read and even by knowing a lot on the topic i was surprised a few times :) And the drawings in it are a realy nice addition. Book came in perfect condition.

I discovered Caitlin through youtube, and I knew the moment she mentioned this book, that I had to read it. I knew she would not disappoint me, and this book is absolutely beautiful and captivating. It is interesting, clear, and it keeps you hooked until the end because of its new and...well, "strange" content: as Doughty herself points out numerous times, in modern society we seems to be scared or even not enough informed (if that makes sense) about death, with the sad result of not giving it the space it, and WE need to embrace it and comprehend it's just another part of the cycle of life. I really suggest this reading, so that you can have a moment face to face with this reality and be more informed about it and how the funeral homes works. Last but not least, the book is really well-written, and I gladly found in it the usual "comic" side of this brilliant woman.

My title says it: intense and interesting. Caitlin is traveling with a mission, to find out how people are dealing with death in different countries and cultures. I couldn’t stop reading! Some things I knew, but others really surprised me, for example Japan. So interesting! And I love her sense of humor. She dedramatise death, see and tell it for what it is - with her humor- that I love. It has helped me so much with fear of dying. (big fan of her YouTube channel as well) If you’re scared of dying/death, I strongly suggest reading her books and follow her channel. We need to look, and talk about death, it’s such a heavy subject, but in the end- we can’t escape it. Thank you, Caitlin!