Undertaker's Wife, The
No one will forget the people who pass through the home of The Undertaker's Wife. What James Herriott did for the country veterinarian, Celia Hastings does for the small-town undertaker. With warmth, humor, and "a splendid voice," this at-first reluctant undertaker's wife chronicles her own journey from farmer's daughter to obtaining an advanced theological degree and becoming an organist in a small-town funeral home-which is also the family home she shares with her husband, a...
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Stories on living well and dying well from an undertaker'' wife.A celebration of life through the lens of a small town funeral home and a woman'' journey of faith. Written in a James Herriott/All Things Bright and Beautiful style makes The Undertaker?s Wife both engaging and readable just for its pure story. There are few authors with Celia Hastings? credentials which include both the first hand knowledge of running of a funeral home and an advanced theological degree. Delightful and informative, full of wit and widsom. Includes extensive appendix on funeral planning and scriptural references commonly used in funeral services.Celia M. Hastings holds a master'' degree in religious education from Western Theological Seminary (Holland, MI) and is the author of The Wisdom Series a Bible Study Curriculum for Adults. She lives and works with her funeral director husband, John, in a small northern Michigan funeral home where, besides writing, she also plays the organ and officiates at funerals.
ForewordiPrefaceviiAcknowledgmentsixIntroduction11How Did I Arrive at a Place Like This?32What's It Like to Live in a Funeral Home?153What Do the Children (and Pets) Say?374Why Fuss Over the Body?535Is There a God?656Is There Life after Death?797Where Does One Begin to Plan a Funeral?958How Does One Work with a Funeral Director?1079How Does One Work with the Clergy?11710What are Some Ways to Celebrate Life?12511How Does One Go On Living after a Loved One Has Died?133Appendix AFlow Chart144Appendix BDeath Certificate Information145Appendix CObituary Information148Appendix DMethods of Disposition150Appendix EGeneral Itemized Price List151Appendix FFinancial Methods and Resources160Appendix GOutline of a Celebration of Life161Appendix H1Scriptures Commonly Used at Funerals162Appendix H2Biblical Passages of Death and Resurrection175Appendix IAftercare: Grief Support Resources180End Notes184Bibliography187About the Author190
