What Remains? By Rupert Callender
[Ad-gifted] When he became an undertaker, Rupert Callender undertook to deal with the dead for the sake of the living. Published by Chelsea Green Publishing, What Remains? Life, Death and the Human Art of Undertaking is the story of the life and work of the world’s first punk undertaker – but it is also a book about ordinary, everyday humanity and our capacity to face death with courage and compassion. To say goodbye to the people we love in our own way.
The reality of what the book is about lies in its sub-heading – Life, Death and the Human Art of Undertaking. Callender explores his ‘calling’ to this career and through this he shares his unresolved grief for his parents, his beliefs and the inspiration he takes from non-conformists, social outlaws, and even the acid house scene!
What I thought of the book
As someone who knows grief, I am a little torn about this book. On the one hand, I want to recommend everyone who has experienced bereavement to read it, but equally I want to slap a trigger warning on it for everyone who has ever lost someone.
I perhaps should not be surprised by this internal juxtaposition, as in reading the first chapter I found myself in tears reading one page, to literally laughing out loud at the next.
What Remains? is insightful, thought-provoking, and beautifully written, especially in its ability to capture the ordinariness and humanity of death. The book is funny and very honest. This story of Callender’s life and work as an undertaker is wonderfully underpinned by his own experiences of death and grief. So while reading it can leave you feeling a little raw and vulnerable, there is a sense that the author is right there with you, sharing in the grief and holding your hand.
Callender demystifies every aspect of death, but be warned, he pulls no punches! The topics covered touch on the hard reality of death and can be graphic and gut-wrenching. Including topics such as the natural decay of the body after death, and what actually ‘hygienic preparation’ means when it appears on the bill from the funeral director.
If you have a curious mind and are not too squeamish about death (and what follows) then I would definitely recommend giving What Remains? a read.
Where can you buy What Remains?
You can buy it from WHSmith and it costs £11.95 for the paperback or £18.40 for the hardback.
About the Author
Rupert Callender is a self-taught ceremonial undertaker and writer who has worked in Devon and Cornwall since 1999. He and his ex-partner Claire Phillips were described as “The best funeral directors of all time, by a country mile” by Charles Cowling.
They pioneered an immersive stripped back approach which threw out the usual trappings of the traditional funeral in favour of the shared experience. This risky approach has led to accolades from within the industry, and without, and made them controversial figures in the establishment dominated world of the corporate funerals. They have been written about by several authors including Tom Cox, John Doran, Miranda Sawyer and Peter Ross.
Rupert writes and takes most of the funeral ceremonies himself, and this grew into a wider writing career including performance art rituals. This has led to a partnership with Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty, former members of the KLF, in which they are building a pyramid in Toxteth, Liverpool using bricks containing cremated human remains.
About the Book
Title: What Remains? Life, Death and the Human Art of Undertaking
Author: Rupert Callender
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing UK
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781645020509
Pages: 336
Review by Danielle Booker
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* Disclaimer: We were given a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
24 comments
Sounds like my kind of book. I think it delivers associations with all walks of life, including death. Many would shy away from the topic. I’m so excited to read this one!
Glad to hear Stacie and hope you enjoy reading the book
That’s an interesting book. I want to get a copy and read it, this is perfect for me.
Glad to hear that the book piqued your interest Marie
a book that can get the emotions rolling is a good thing. I love to get invested in a good story.
So glad to hear that Rosey, a good book is so crucial
Thank you for the trigger warning – that’s so important when knowing about books. It does sound like a really captivating read.
It is a captivating and eye opening book Jupiter
I’ve always been so fascinated by undertakers. I’ve often wondered how they look at death with their job. I can’t wait to read this.
Hope you do like the book Beth
It sounds like you found it a good read wanting to recommend the book. I can understand also wanting to attach a warning though!
Yes, just to be safe in case someone is triggered by it
This book sounds incredibly thought provoking and raw. It’s definitely a unique perspective on death and grief. I love how it combines humor with such deep, personal insights, though it sounds like it’s not for the faint of heart.
It is a good read and I did enjoy it and like you said thought provoking
I haven’t heard of this book before but sounds like a deep, thought-provoking read. Maybe I’ll add it to my tbr list and read it when the time feels right, thanks for the book review!
Great to add it to your summer book list
This book takes on a deeply personal subject with a unique perspective. It’s always insightful to read about different approaches to grief and remembrance.
Agree as different people process it differently
I have a lost loved ones but now I’m kind of curious about this book. I think my husband would find it interesting, too.
Yes life is so interesting and it is interesting to find out more about what remains
This sounds like an interesting premise for a book, and it is interesting to read about being an undertaker. It is nice to read some different books from what I usually read.
Agree, sometimes it is nice to pick a book which is different to what you would normally choose
The author sounds like a real character and this sounds like a great book for wanting to know more about the art of undertaking.
Agree, a book worth reading Jenny