The American Way of Death

The American Way of Death is a 1963 investigative work by Jessica Mitford that exposes malpractices within the funeral home sector in the United States. A substantially revised edition, titled The American Way of Death Revisited, was mostly completed prior to her passing in 1996 and subsequently released in 1998.

Overview

The impetus for Mitford’s inquiry into the funeral industry came from her husband, civil rights attorney Robert Treuhaft. Following a local television feature and the publication of an initial article, "Saint Peter Don't You Call Me," which attracted significant attention, she expanded her findings into a widely successful book. Mitford criticized the funeral business for exploiting bereaved families by imposing inflated charges on funerals and ancillary services, including so-called "grief counselors," a designation she disputed as unjustified.

Her work condemned the excessive commercialization and high expenses associated with funerals in America, which led to Congressional scrutiny and inspired the 1965 motion picture The Loved One. Reflecting her principles, Mitford’s own funeral was conducted simply and economically, amounting to US$533.31 in total costs, with US$475 allocated for cremation without ceremony. The Pacific Interment Service, recognized for its "dignity, simplicity, affordability," managed her final arrangements.

Reception

Judith Newman, writing for the New York Times Book Review, observed that the updated version retains the original’s impact and wit, noting Mitford’s prescience regarding the emergence of profit-centric corporate funeral chains such as Service Corporation International and the Loewen Group, which continue to consolidate smaller family-owned establishments.

Bess Lovejoy of Lapham's Quarterly characterized the 1998 revision as a targeted critique of expensive funerals and their purveyors rather than an exploration of how funeral customs have transformed. She contrasted Mitford’s approach with earlier death-related literature, emphasizing that while previous works offered ritual guidance for confronting mortality, Mitford’s book functions primarily as a consumer watchdog revealing industry abuses.

Popular culture

In the seventh and concluding season of Mad Men (episode "Field Trip", 2014), the book is mentioned when a character comments: "We can all learn something from the funeral business."