Death is a subject of enduring interest in every culture in the world. The act of death itself and the rituals surrounding it vary enormously and shed a fascinating light on the cultures of which they are a part.

Douglas J. Davies, internationally acknowledged as one of the leading experts in this field, tackles some of the most significant aspects of death – the act of dying, grieving, burial, artistic interpretations of death, places of memory, the fear of death, and disasters/tragedies – and weaves them into a compelling story about our changing attitudes to dying.