Lonely Planet's Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth: 1

Being a long-standing fan of Lonely Planet travel guides, I was enthralled to see this book’s title, which immediately hooked me to explore what was inside. It is a splendid book about a topic that affects us all profoundly, whichever part of the Planet we are living on.In the Western world we fear talking about death and bereavement and we flounder in knowing how to deal with such painful situations. This book gives a fascinating overview of how a wide range of cultures across the world approach grieving and also celebrate the passing of a loved one. The themes are well-researched and the book handles the topics in a very sensitive and respectful manner. It describes the immense diversity of customs that different societies have, as well as introducing the history of some traditional burials, ranging from thousands of years BCE to modern versions that rely on technology and a big income.Far from being morbid, I found the book fascinating, educational and yes, uplifting. I think it has a place in all our homes and community centres, as well as on bookshelves in religious and medical libraries.

This is a beautifully-produced and wonderfully-written book. It provides a fascinating insight into the customs surrounding death and bereavement worldwide. It doesn't just cover the main religions there are also sections on Jazz Funerals, Maori beliefs and the masked performances that are common at Nigerian Funerals. It's well-illustrated and written in a style that, although respectful is not morbid or depressing. A great book for anyone who works with the bereaved.

This is a beautifully presented and very interesting book discussing grief and death throughout different cultures. It’s quite intense so I dip in and out of it. Makes a lovely coffee table book.

This book gives a whistlestop tour of the way that death and mourning is handled in different countries and cultures in the world.It's a bit of a surface level assessment of each rather than an in depth description but each chapter is accompanied by good quality photographs making it a nice book to dip in and out of.It's easy to read and not really macabre despite the content, as it's handled sensitively.Each section has little sidebars that give you something to ponder on before moving to the next chapter.Overall quite an interesting book and definitely gave me a new perspective on some things surrounding death and funerals.

This is a fascinating, easy to read, colourful book by Lonely Planet. One might think the subject matter rather gloomy but this isn’t the case as the customs surrounding death of different cultures around the world is detailed in a light yet sensitive manner, accompanied by lots of colourful photographs.The book is divided into four parts - Celebration, Commemoration, Mourning and Offering. The historical origins of different customs and practices is explored - such as the grim reaper and the hand carved fantasy coffins of Ghana and there’s details of how new, sustainable funeral practices are being developed, e.g. water cremations. I found the pet cemetery chapter very interesting. There’s also helpful sections that provide information regarding festivals that can be visited, for instance the famous Day of the Dead festival in Mexico.It’s a book to dip into now and then rather than read cover to cover as there’s lots of information to absorb. It’s become quite a talking point in our household which is good as it’s a subject that we tend to avoid.It’s a well written, thoughtful book and I can recommend it.

This is a beautiful coffee-table book, produced to the high standards one expects from Lonely Planet.Rather than being morbid, as the title might suggest, the contents are both illuminating and uplifting, with the various topics treated with a light but respectful touch. It’s the kind of book you can dip in and out of at leisure.I found it fascinating to learn how different cultures, past and present, deal with death, grief, and the celebration of life. I think there’s information here that everyone would find useful, especially in societies like ours where death and dying is such a taboo subject.The contents are well ordered and the illustrations and photographs a feast for the eyes.Highly recommended.

This is a hardback Lonely Planet book, more coffee table book than travel companion. Subject matter is a little dark, but it is written in a very engaging manner that makes it almost fun and accessible. The images are of course, as with all lonely planet books, outstanding. A real highlight.Would recommend as a interesting coffee table book, or to spruce up your bookshelves with its bright pink covers.

I have owned at least a dozen LP books all soft cover and have been around the world with some of them (literally) I really like them.This is a hardback, a beautifully presented hardback so is not really suitable for light independent travel.What do I think it is then? It hints at being a travel book, ideas of places to go. In reality I think it is a superficial series of magazine standard sections, which add very little to my knowledge. I tried hard to read it over the last two and half days, it just did not keep my attention.Book reviews are of course subjective, I thought is was dull.

This book is really something, it provides you with deeper understanding of different culture's approach to death itself. And the ways that people mourn their loved ones. Having came from China I could confirm this books description of Chinese Death-Mourn Custom and professional mourner is how we give our loved one a proper send off. After reading this book I think I might need to travel to New Orleans to witness a Jazz Funeral myself.

This Guide to Death, Grief and Rebirth provides a peek into the diverse ways in which cultures around the world navigate the profound experience of death. It was interesting to read about an aspect of culture you don’t often experience as an interloper, visiting the places and communities highlighted in the book as a tourist. Highly recommend.

Awesome insight into the breadth of customs worldwide. Great illustrations and photos. I liked how it covered a large spread of global customs. I know the lonely planet brand from travel books so it's cool to get a similar global look at something morer serious. Highly recommend!