More a collection of anecdotes than an actual story, but this worked. It felt as if I were listening to a friend tell (slightly creepy) stories. I loved the behind the scenes stories, slightly morbid tales and even the adventures of some of the people he knew.

This is the 3rd book I've read recently about the funeral industry, and each has been different in its own way. What Rossell brought to this book was someone who is an integral part of the community. He, along with his father, brother and their families are more than service providers, they're friends, family and counselors to the community.

In addition to memoirs of life & work in a funeral home, this is somewhat of a memoir of life in small town America. I'm reminded of Stephen King's comment re: the Dark Tower that the world had moved on. I'd never heard of Flushing prior to this book and only know of Flint for pollution reasons, but Rossell made me want to know more. While he acknowledged the changes in Flushing from his move there as an infant to now, I wonder what contemporary FLushing would look like to an outsider.

A good read.