Obitchuary

The Big Hot Book of Death

By: Spencer Henry, Madison Reyes

Narrated by: Spencer Henry, Madison Reyes, Annette Amelia Oliveira

Based on the popular podcast, Obitchuary: The Big Hot Book of Death is a smart, funny look at the American culture of death and how we’re remembered.

It’s safe to say everyone thinks about death—whether they want to or not. But have you ever wondered about what sort of keepsakes you can make with your remains, or given any thought to the most scandalous deathbed confessions throughout history? Well Madison Reyes and Spencer Henry have, and they've spent countless hours scouring the darkest corners of the internet, digging through newspaper archives, devouring documents, and picking the brains of death industry experts to bring you Obitchuary, a darkly funny and deeply poignant exploration of all things death.

With chapters like “Coffin Confessions,” “Executions to Die For,” “The Last Word,” and “If These Dolls Could Speak,” Madison and Spencer guide us through surprisingly colorful history, traditions, and contemporary practices. They also demystify taboo topics with incredible and hilarious details, including FUNerals, as they call them, cremations and themed funerals, famous body snatchers, and so much more.

Shocking, macabre, hilarious, and moving, Obitchuary digs deep into the physical aspects of death while also carefully exploring what death says about our humanity and the ways we choose to remember those we've lost. So go ahead, crack open the book—we know you're dying to read it.

Critic reviews

"A darkly funny and deeply poignant exploration of all things death.” —AV Club

“Henry and Reyes, who share outlandish real-life death notices on their Obitchuary podcast, serve up macabre trivia in this entertaining mélange….this will appeal to readers with a dark sense of humor.” —Publishers Weekly

Oh my gawwd

I love Spencer and Madison! This book was great, and I’ll recommend it to anyone who is going to die. Which is everyone.

Great story telling

If you listen to the podcast this is them with a lot less banter. I personally live the banter so the book is great but we need the banter.

I love these kids!

I started listening to Obitchuary podcast during the earliest episodes and have been a loyal Geoff ever since. I’m old enough to be their mom; but I love hearing their take on life, death and seeing the comfort and laughter they’ve helped to bring to their listeners.

Yes, there are quite a few “Best of Obitchuary” moments here. But they’ve organized it into an engaging book you can enjoy to also get the gist of a BUNCH of shows.

Spencer and Madison seem to share the understanding I have that the one guarantee we are born with is that we will die. It can be scary and overwhelming to consider the our mortality and that of those we love. What can we do to make something less terrifying? Educate ourselves, learn to laugh (even irreverently), show compassion, kindness, listen and learn from those who work intimately in healthcare and the funeral industry, and learn from and support one another through the whole process. And you need to know how to make Funeral Potatoes like any Southern Lady worth her salt. (Go find that episode!)

Absolutely LOVE!!

Very informative in an easy to digest manner. I LOVE their podcast and the book was amazing!

Great listen!!

Anyone who loves the podcasts will be right at home with Spencer and Madison’s read of this great book! I’ll have to get the physical copy too just to have but I knew this was gonna be my fave format. Well done!!