# Last Rites: The Evolution of the American Funeral - Hardcover

by **Todd Harra** (Author)

**The Untold Story of American Funeral and Mourning Traditions**

Why do we embalm the deceased? Why are funerals so expensive? Is there a reason coffins are shaped the way they are? When--and why--did we start viewing the deceased? Ceremonies for honoring the departed are crucial parts of our lives, but few people know where our traditional practices come from--and what they reveal about our history, culture, and beliefs about death. In _Last Rites_, author Todd Harra takes you on a fascinating exploration of American funeral practices--examining where they came from, what they mean, and how they are still evolving.

Our conventions around death, burial, and remembrance have undergone many great transitions--sometimes due to technology, respect for tradition, shifting sensibilities, or even to thwart grave robbers. Here you'll explore:

\- Influences for American rituals--from medieval Europe, the Roman Empire, and even ancient Egypt  
\- When mourning fell out of fashion--and how George Washington's passing brought it back  
\- Abraham Lincoln's landmark funeral and its widespread impact  
\- Flowers, liquor, mourning gifts, and caskets--the reasons behind our grieving customs  
\- Unknown soldiers--how warfare influenced funeral and bereavement practices ... and vice versa  
\- How growing populations, religion, inventions, and media have changed and continue to shape our traditions  
\- The future of our death rites--mushroom suits, green burial, body donation, flameless cremation, home funerals, and more

The rich story of the American funeral is one of constant evolution. Whether you're planning a funeral service or are simply intrigued by the meaning behind American burial practices, _Last Rites_ is an informative and compelling exploration of the history--and future--of the ceremonies we use to say farewell to those who have departed this world.

### Author Biography

**Todd Harra** has over a decade of experience as a licensed funeral director and embalmer and is a certified postmortem reconstructionist and cremationist. He has written two nonfiction books about the profession, _Mortuary Confidential_ and _Over Our Dead Bodies_, and is an associate editor for _Southern Calls_, a renowned journal in the funeral profession. He is the president of the Delaware State Funeral Directors Association. For more, visit toddharra.com.

**Number of Pages:** 288

**Dimensions:** 1.1 x 8.6 x 5.8 IN

**Publication Date:** August 02, 2022

## Details

- **Price:** 26.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 26.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Last Rites: The Evolution of the American Funeral - Hardcover

---

> Source: [Smart supply deals](https://smartsupplydeals.com/products/last-rites-the-evolution-of-the-american-funeral-hardcover)
> Updated: 2026-07-23