The Mourner's Dance; What We Do When People Die

by Katherine Ashenburg

• ISBN13: 9780865476783
• ISBN10: 0865476780
• Edition: National
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2003-09-18
• Publisher: North Point Press

Summary

When her daughter's fianceacute; died suddenly, Katherine Ashenburg was surprised to see how her daughter intuitively re-created the traditional rituals of mourning, even those of which she was ignorant. Intrigued, Ashenburg began to explore the rich and endlessly inventive choreographies different cultures and times have devised to mark a universal and deeply felt plight. Contemporary North American culture favors a mourning that is private and virtually invisible. But, as Ashenburg reveals, the grieving customs of the past were so integrated into daily life that ultimately they gave rise to public parks and ready-to-wear clothing. Our keepsakes, prescribed bereavement garb, resting places, mourning etiquette; and ways of commiserating from wakes to Internet support groups remain clues to our most elemental beliefs, and our most effective means of restoring selves, and communities, unraveled by loss.

Author Biography

Katherine Ashenburg is a journalist, lecturer, and regular contributor to The New York Times. She lives in Toronto.

Table of Contents

Prologue	p. 3
The Bustle in a House	p. 9
Wailing Time	p. 33
The Celebration	p. 51
Final Destination	p. 76
After Great Pain	p. 110
How to Mourn	p. 126
The Gender of Mourning	p. 157
Sad Clothes	p. 185
Sorrow Shared	p. 207
Keepsakes	p. 233
As Gently As Possible	p. 260
Notes	p. 283
References	p. 295
Acknowledgments	p. 311
Index	p. 313
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Supplemental Materials

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

Rewards Program

Currently unavailable