jack2be
Posted October 16, 2011
Ryan lee in this book acts as a trusting family member who takes us through the process of departing with our loved ones.He takes us step by step carefully and compassionately.One book which is useful to all and makes the grim experience of losing a loved one somewhat lighter.This book is extremely informative and helps us in saving a lot of expenditure and time.Truly a keeper.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 16, 2011
This book is amazingly easy to read and appropriately humorous at times. The author offers readers a truly candid look at the death care industry. I never knew what funeral directors and morticians do. However, having read this book I have a greater respect and appreciation for those who work in the funeral industry. Sure, there are great tips for consumers in this book, without a doubt this book will save you money. However, I appreciate how the author reveals the industry to us without the sensational expose style so often employed by modern authors when discussing death and dying.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 16, 2011
In this book by Ryan M lee he proves that the right information at the right time is the best power.Anyone who reads this book can save hundreds of dollars going down the drain.The frustration,the pain and the expense we have to go through while dealing with the death of the dead is truly frightening.Ryan M Lee in his own way through this book guides us through this painful phase with his book.My advice "it's very useful,buy it"
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book is both tasteful and respectful. Readers are able to read through this book at their own pace and curiosity level. The author has written the book in a conversational style using each chapter as a standalone article on the subject matter presented. Whether you are looking to enter Mortuary College, you work in a funeral home or if you are a person just curious about the activities surrounding death, this book provides useful information to all who read it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 16, 2011
A very well informed book and a good read for everyone. Ryan M Lee in his humorous tyle illustrates the working of the morgue industry.His interesting narration about the not so known facts helps evryone in saving thousands of dollars in the crisis.Though the book deals with death,Ryan lee makes the suffering so much better for everyone and their families,providing a love filled background for anyone to take leave of their dead.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 16, 2011
My brother-in-law recently died of a heart attack. I didn't know what to do to help my sister. She was still reeling from their daughter's wedding that was held just a few days earlier. I started to search the internet, when I discovered Mr. Lee's book. I found the books website and reached out to the author. To my amazement he called me back, almost instantly, and he talked with me and took the time to answer all of my questions. Mr. Lee is a very compassionate person and he even called the funeral home on our behalf. I wasn't sure what good that would do, but it did a great deal of good. Mr. Lee talked with the funeral home, they discussed my brother-in-law's death and through that process Mr. Lee pointed out that while the cause of my brother-in-laws death was a heart attack, his death had occurred at work. Due to Mr. Lee's guidance and assistance, workers compensation insurance covered all of the final expenses, saving our family both money and worry. I have read this book cover to cover, and I can tell you first hand, everyone NEEDS this information.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 12, 2011
Since finding and reading this book, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I don't believe I would of found the information contained in this book anywhere else, and certainly not all in one place. It is an easy read and besides being very informative, the author also does a good job of just making you feel better and less stressed out about the entire process. Reading this book was a huge relief for me.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 27, 2011
Like a trusted friend, Ryan M. Lee leads us into a world few have imagined entering in his first book, "A Day in the Life of Death." Lee, engaging, terrifically honest, and compassionate, highlights the funeral industry's strengths and flaws as well as our own vulnerabilities when faced with vital decisions about the disposal of our loved ones' remains, helping us gain emotional detachment from our pain and loss so that we are better able to make the most caring choices for our deceased, while making the most sensible and financially responsible choices for ourselves. Handling issues from the macabre to the mirthful with sensitivity and tact, Lee helps separate the ache of bereavement from the business of death. This work answers hundreds of questions we never knew we had about the death care industry, providing an expert's view and a place to start when we face the inevitable process of burying our dead.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ryan Lee's A Day In The Life of Death: A Behind The Scenes Look At The Mortuary Business is an in-depth consumer guide to help individuals save thousands of dollars in final expenses. Though it portrays the grim theme of death, it provides a multitude of special and unique ways to truly honor your loved ones. Beneath the "hype of the television sensationalism, sterile financial journals or newspaper headlines to discover what really happens in the funeral home," there is a cloak of secrecy in the "death care industry." In other words, the public does not fully know what goes on behind the scenes, and oftentimes it doesn't want to know. A Day in the Life of Death is the first of its kind, and there's no one better than Ryan Lee to write this book. Lee is a graduate of the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and Chapman University. He has been involved in the funeral industry since his late teens and has nearly a decade of experience. Lee answers questions such as, "What is learned in mortuary school?" and addresses such issues as how to embalm a body, whether one should pre-arrange his/her funeral, and the different types of funerals and final services that are available. Throughout the book, Lee paints an honest picture of life as a mortician; however, Chapter 12-the last in the book-is one of the most genuine and intriguing chapters in the entire book. Titled "The days we wish we were somebody else," describes in sometimes agonizing detail the harsh realities of a mortician's daily life. Ryan Lee describes the sometimes-gruesome details, however, the point this author tries to make is, "the mortician is the one who has to live with the damage left behind by death." This book has all the answers to any questions you may have about the mortuary business, or the death care industry-a thoroughly educational read.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 26, 2010
I have been a practicing trust attorney for over 25 years. I have read this book and determined that it is the most interesting and insightful look at end of life care that I have ever seen. The questions that the author provides to his readers on what to discuss with your trust attorney are SPOT ON. While I am not currently providing this book to my clients, I have referred to its ideas numbers of time when meeting with my clients and I have placed the book in the reception area of our office. Additionally, just to see how accurate the chapter on casket selection rooms is, I stopped by my local funeral home and was SHOCKED to discover how absolutely true the author's description on the casket selection room is. This book was an enjoyable read with wonderful information contained in it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 24, 2010
This book is the most comprehensive consumer guide on the mortuary business available. You will find EVERYTHING that you need to know about the business in this book. From how to get started on a career path, to how to select the appropriate mortuary college for you or your child; to what the everyday life of a mortician is like. This information rounds out the tips, trade-secrets and actionable advice provided throughout the book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 24, 2010
I have a PhD in Psychology, I hold a number of credentials and licenses and I am a professor of psychology at a prominent university located in Los Angeles. I recently added this book to my spring 2011 courses. This book has been reviewed by a number of my MFT students as well as me. To an individual we agree that we will be better therapist and more able to assist our clients through the logistical strains of end of life planning as a result of reading this book. As therapists we often get sidetracked by the emotional needs of our clients because we have no real practical and actionable advice to offer in regards to end of life planning. Typically only those who have worked closely with Hospice Organizations or other health care organizations have access to the "real" life experience needed to offer true help in this area of practice. I am grateful that there is finally a resource available to help my students understand the logistics of death and not just the stages of grief.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 23, 2010
This book had been one of the most enjoyable books that I have read in a long time. Once I started it, I could not put it down. Not only was it informative, but very entertaining. Losing a loved one at a young age, I was not knowledgeable in preparing for a funeral. I wish I had had this book a couple of years ago. It would have saved me thousands of dollars, time, and energy. This book is a step by step of how a loved one is respectful prepared for a funeral. It also gives the readers helpful tips when planning a funeral. The author has a wonderful sense of humor. He shows respect and love for the business of death. Everyone will lose a loved one at sometime, why not be prepared for it by having this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 22, 2010
This book is truly wonderful. I am a college student from South Bend, and bought the book at our campus library. It was there that I learned that the author would be speaking on campus and I thought..."What the heck, go learn something!" And boy did I learn some things! This book is truly a consumers best friend. Who hasn't taken a parent, sibling, spouse or friend along to assist them when making a major purchase? Let this book be that friend for you. You could search the world over, and still not find as user friendly of guide as this book. As you read this book you will feel as if the author is talking directly to you. Having heard the author speak, when reading this book, I felt that I was more able to appreciate the subtle humor, simple wisdom and compassion the authors feels for others. If it helps, when you read this book, imagine that the the author is a man with all the southern charm and soft spokenness of Andy Griffith mixed with the sophistcated amativeness of Sean Connery's 007. If you ever have a chance to attend one of the authors lectures, DO IT!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 21, 2010
I purchased this book after sitting next to the author as I flew to Australia. I do not work in the funeral business, nor have I ever had to assist in making final arrangements for anyone. However, the knowledge that I acquired by reading this book has given me the tools and intellectual permission needed to navigate the labyrinth that is funeral planning. This book offers consumers the equal footing that they will need in order to make sound, rational decisions during an emotional time.
The chapters of this book are arranged and organized in such a way that the reader has full control of the information that you will learn. There are NO hidden surprises that you will wish you wouldn't have learned. If you are only interested in learning about cremation, go to that chapter. If you want to learn how a body is embalmed, go to that chapter. The chapter on how to save money will certainly save you thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars. Follow the advice in this chapter and you will receive an exponential return on the purchase price of this book.
For those in the industry, or for those who want to get into the mortuary business, there is wise counsel to be found here. The author explains how to wisely select a mortuary college, and also how funeral directors can better express value to their clients. This book is not an outright hit piece on the mortuary business; however, it is an honest, and crazily candid look at an industry that we seldom interact with as consumers.
This book is a quick read, mainly because it is very entertaining. The author keeps a respectful tone throughout the book, but his sense of humor is always present. You really can't go wrong with this book. Anyone who is a religious leader, therapist, social worker, nurse, hospice worker, or otherwise involved with those at the end of their lives would do themselves a great service by reading this book.
And if the author reads this post.....Cheers Mate!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 16, 2011
A captivating style mixed with humour and an invaluable lesson that can be applied to life to save hundreds of dollars.Ryan M lee brings in his book A Day in the Life of Death: A behind the Scenes Look At the Mortuary Business" all these features.Should i say more.This book while dealing with not such a happy occurence tell us how much the mortuary business is based on.One aspect of the life that stays in the shadows is brought to life by Ryan M Lee in this stunning Book.A must read.
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Posted October 16, 2011
Ryan M lee's A Day in the Life of Death: A behind the Scenes Look At the Mortuary Business is a detailed analysis of the mortuary business, a much under the ground industry.It brings into clarity to the fact that like all other industries mortuary business is also one in which the customer can save himself a lot just by being a knowledgeable.I would totally recommend buying this book for your own sake.It helps us in making decisions when its the most painful.Truly a wonderful guide when it matters.
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Posted November 22, 2010
Very well written, very accessible, very important information to learn long before you need it. Highly recommend this one, the author clearly knows what he's talking about and is very good at getting it across in an informative, respectful, but light and appropriately humorous way.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 21, 2010
The chapters of this book (12 total - I think the author should have had 13), were written as standalone essays. This was a very convenient way to learn about a business I knew nothing about. I have been curious about the industry for years, and this book was recommended to me by a friend who knew of my morbid curiosity.
The book starts with a brief biographical history of the author and how he started his career in the funeral business. You will get to know the author in a deep personal way. I am certain that writing this book must have been a very cathartic process for the author to go through. It was amazing, reading about the author's childhood that was filled with death and loss, only to hear the optimism and good natured tone in which he recounts his life experience. Reading this made me feel as if the author has a tremendous amount of faith in his creator, which forms the foundation of his irrepressible effervescence.
This book is chiefly an educational book, however the authors humor and spirit comes through with class and dignity for his fellow man. The author is a masterful communicator and he easily keeps this work from becoming morbid or macabre. This reader felt as if I was having a personal conversation with a dear friend. I imagine that many of the hints, tips and advice given to me through this book would be the same advice the author would give to his parents.
This is a wonderfully entertaining read that I could not put down. You will learn a great deal of useful, practical information and how to apply what you have learned. This is a great "self-help" book. Additionally, anyone who is in a position to help others through the funeral arrangement process would be well advised to read this book.
HOSPICE_S_W_
Posted November 21, 2010
Part of being human means that death will, at some point in time, touch our lives. We will experience the loss of family, friends, colleagues and neighbors. We will be required to navigate the process of burying or cremating the ones we love.
I am a hospice social worker, and my employer provided me with this wonderful resource. I have begun giving a copy of this book to every family that I work with. This book is amazing! It is hands down the most prolific guide for those dealing with the death of a loved one.
This book will not only help you, but it will also help those around you. The author goes through the death and final arrangement process not based on "cost effectiveness" but with a holistic view of what is best for those battling grief. The suggestions and warnings found in the chapter "How to have the perfect funeral" are ideas that I have NEVER heard articulated to me by anyone in the death care industry. Every funeral director should read this chapter!
The author shows you how to save money, in many ways. However, he also discusses the importance of estate planning and other important, yet seldom discussed topics. The author also discusses in great detail how a family should approach the funeral planning process. There is a great strength given to readers by knowing what's going to happen and what decisions will need to be made. Mr. Lee takes many of the surprises out of the end of life process.
This book is a must read for all, especially if your parents are still alive. However, those who want to be morticians, are morticians, aid families with end of life decisions, are religious leaders, health care professionals, social workers, and attorneys will be far more qualified to do their jobs after reading this book.
