I saw a review of this book in the Common Reader catalog and was surprised to see it listed as humorous. Now I know why. For example, in response to the original publication, the FTC passed some rules to regulate the funeral industry, such as that they could no longer lie to their customers about costs and legal requirements. In response, Mortuary Management magazine said, "FTC staff are trying to force their agnostic, atheistic ways on the God-fearing, traditional family-oriented America ..."

From a directive instructing funeral directors on how to sell the most expensive coffin — "Enter selection room and proceed to stand behind the classic royal in the middle of the room. Guide the family to standing in front of the classic. Say, 'I would like to introduce you to our Classic Royal. This design is that of a European contemporary coffin. It is elegant [sic] finished in Rose Mahogany gloss with fine line gold engraving on the sides. This unit combines expert craftsmanship with a fully satin lined interior. It is priced at $1,595.'"

Here's a radio jingle:
Chambers' caskets are just fine,
Made of sandalwood and pine.
If your loved ones have to go,
Call Columbus 690.
If your loved ones pass away,
Have them pass the Chambers way.
Chamber's customers all sing:
"Death, oh death, where is thy sting?"

Did you realize that "... California is one of several states where it is a penal offense to use 'profane, indecent or obscene language' in the presence of a dead human body."?

In an effort to have the family purchase an expensive urn for "cremains," the industry put out a flyer with this lovely poem:
Scatter me not to restless winds
Nor toss my ashes to the sea.
Remember now those years gone by
When living gifts I gave to thee.
Remember now the happy times,
The family ties we shared;
Don't leave my resting place unmarked,
As though you never cared.
Deny me not one final gift
For all who come to see,
A single lasting proof that says
I loved, and you loved me.

You can also read about the strategy to keep the clergy out of the room while the family is buying a coffin. (Because the clergy usually try to convince the family to go with less-expensive alternatives.)

All this and more — embalming is not required, burial vaults exist only for the convenience of cemeteries so they won't have to fill in the depressions when the coffins collapse, metal coffins can't be cremated, although many families are still pressured into buying them — they also can't be reused, so they're just thrown away.

The book ends with a listing of associations you can join that will help your family avoid the worst abuses.

It was a strange topic, to be sure, but it kept my interest throughout and often had me laughing and reading portions to whoever happened to be nearby.