A review by mmadole93
All the Ways Our Dead Still Speak: A Funeral Director on Life, Death, and the Hereafter by Caleb Wilde

3.0

I'm glad that I read this book. I think there are definitely aspects that I could ponder more on and take away. I've followed Caleb Wilde for years after Caitlin Doughty referenced his "Confessions of a Funeral Director" book, which I've read. I was intrigued by this book because it referenced the impact covid had on Caleb, the family funeral home, and society dealing with death. It was the first book I read regarding death and covid. I imagine that Caleb would have left the funeral industry at some point, but covid had hurried it along. It could be looked as a blessing as he mentioned several times the struggles he was facing being constantly surrounded by death as a 24 hour on call funeral director. He is right when he mentions being amazed at how long people are able to stay within the death industry, particularly working in a funeral home. The most resonating thing from this book is that "it's that each of us is a living cemetery. We are each full of dead people. The stories of our ancestors and deceased loved ones live on in our bodies." (Page 187). It was comforting to me almost getting the okay to feel like my loved ones are still with me as I live my life.