Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that explores death and the funeral industry. Doughty, a mortician, takes readers on a journey through her experiences working in a crematory and a funeral home, providing insights into the often-taboo subject of death and what happens to our bodies after we die.
One of the main themes of the book is the commercialization of death and the funeral industry. Doughty highlights the ways in which death has become an industry, and how funeral homes and crematories can often exploit grieving families for profit. She also touches on the importance of alternative funeral practices, such as home funerals and natural burials, which can be more environmentally friendly and emotionally meaningful.
Another important aspect of the book is Doughty’s exploration of our relationship with death. She argues that in modern society, death has become something that we fear and try to avoid at all costs. By confronting death and understanding the physical process of dying, we can come to accept it as a natural part of life.
Doughty’s writing is engaging and witty, with a healthy dose of humor that makes the sometimes-grim subject matter more approachable. She blends personal anecdotes with research and historical context, creating a compelling narrative that is both informative and entertaining.
Overall, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes is an educational and thought-provoking read that encourages readers to reconsider their attitudes toward death while recognizing it as a natural part of life. With its mix of scientific facts, poignancy, and macabre humor, the book is an excellent guide for anyone looking for new perspectives on mortality.