Death Rituals Series: History of the American Funeral with Todd Harra

For the sixth episode of our death rituals series, we are joined by Todd Harra. Todd is the co-author of the Amazon bestselling books Mortuary Confidential: Undertakers Spill the Dirt and Over Our Dead Bodies: Undertakers Lift the Lid, as well as the Clip Undertaker Mystery Series. More recently, he authored the funeral history book Last Rites: The Evolution of the American Funeral. Todd works for his family’s business, McCrery & Harra Funeral Homes and Crematory, where he serves as a funeral director, embalmer, post-mortem reconstructionist, and cremationist. In addition, Todd is an associate editor for Southern Calls Magazine, The Journal of the Funeral Profession.Todd joins us to discuss the long and ever-evolving history of the American funeral, exploring the social and cultural contexts in which many of the death rituals we now consider commonplace were created and transformed over time. Drawing on his family’s long history in funeral service as an anchor, Todd examines the development of practices such as embalming and cremation, and reflects on how shifts in American culture continue to reshape the ways we mourn our dead. The result is a fascinating and informative conversation that highlights the enduring importance of ceremonially honoring those who have passed.Listen to the full episode, out now on your favorite podcast platform. Read Last Rites: The Evolution of the American Funeral by Todd Harra.Read Mortuary Confidential: Undertakers Spill the Dirt by Todd Harra.Read Over Our Dead Bodies:Undertakers Lift the Lid by Todd Harra.Read Patient Zero by Todd Harra.Learn more about McCrery & Harra Funeral Homes and Crematory.Learn more about Todd Harra.Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters.