“In writing The American Way of Death, Jessica Mitford wasn’t trying to improve our relationship with death, she was trying to improve… — Caitlin Doughty Death Copy Share Image
“A girl always remembers the first corpse she shaves. It is the only event in her life more awkward than her first… — Caitlin Doughty First kiss Copy Share Image
“By not talking about death with our loved ones, not being clear through advanced directives, DNR (do not resuscitate) orders, and funeral… — Caitlin Doughty Death Copy Share Image
“Historically, Buddhist monks hoping to detach themselves from lust and curb their desire for permanence would meditate on the form of a… — Caitlin Doughty Buddhism Copy Share Image
“Even with the knowledge that they may die a slow, grueling death, many people still wish to remain kept alive at all… — Caitlin Doughty Death Copy Share Image
“Accepting death doesn't mean you won't be devastated when someone you love dies. It means you will be able to focus on… — Caitlin Doughty Death Copy Share Image
“With Q-tips and cotton I cleaned out Elena’s nose, ears, and mouth—a deeply unpleasant task. In the last throes of life, basic… — Caitlin Doughty Every day Copy Share Image
“Holding the space doesn’t mean swaddling the family immobile in their grief. It also means giving them meaningful tasks. Using chopsticks to… — Caitlin Doughty Family Copy Share Image
“We need to reform our funeral industry, introducing new practices that aren't so profit-oriented, and that do more to include the family.… — Caitlin Doughty Family Copy Share Image
“The Greek historian Herodotus, writing over two thousand years ago, produced one of the first descriptions of one culture getting worked up… — Caitlin Doughty Cannibals Copy Share Image
“The 1930s brought what is known as the “medicalization” of death. The rise of the hospital removed from view all the gruesome… — Caitlin Doughty Death Copy Share Image
“Every culture has death rituals with the power to shock the uninitiated and challenge our personal web of significance—from the Wari’ roasting… — Caitlin Doughty Death Copy Share Image
“Left to their own devices, human bodies rot, decompose, come apart, and sink gloriously back into the earth from whence they came.… — Caitlin Doughty Death Copy Share Image
“Katrina noted that “humans are so focused on preventing aging and decay—it’s become an obsession. And for those who have been socialized… — Caitlin Doughty Copy Share Image
“I had written my thesis on medieval witches accused of roasting dead infants and grinding their bones. A year later I found… — Caitlin Doughty Care and concern Copy Share Image
“It is worth noting that the main players in the recomposition project are women—scientists, anthropologists, lawyers, architects. Educated women, who have the… — Caitlin Doughty Death Copy Share Image
