Bøger af Todd Harra

The Untold Story of American Funeral and Mourning TraditionsWhy do we embalm the deceased? Why are funerals so expensive? Is there a reason coffins are shaped the way they are? When-and why-did we start viewing the deceased? Ceremonies for honoring the departed are crucial parts of our lives, but few people know where our traditional practices come from-and what they reveal about our history, culture, and beliefs about death. In Last Rites, author Todd Harra takes you on a fascinating exploration of American funeral practices-examining where they came from, what they mean, and how they are still evolving.Our conventions around death, burial, and remembrance have undergone many great transitions-sometimes due to technology, respect for tradition, shifting sensibilities, or even to thwart grave robbers. Here you'll explore: . Influences for American rituals-from medieval Europe, the Roman Empire, and even ancient Egypt. When mourning fell out of fashion-and how George Washington's passing brought it back. Abraham Lincoln's landmark funeral and its widespread impact. Flowers, liquor, mourning gifts, and caskets-the reasons behind our grieving customs. Unknown soldiers-how warfare influenced funeral and bereavement practices ... and vice versa . How growing populations, religion, inventions, and media have changed and continue to shape our traditions. The future of our death rites-mushroom suits, green burial, body donation, flameless cremation, home funerals, and moreThe rich story of the American funeral is one of constant evolution. Whether you're planning a funeral service or are simply intrigued by the meaning behind American burial practices, Last Rites is an informative and compelling exploration of the history-and future-of the ceremonies we use to say farewell to those who have departed this world.

Tripp Clipper is back, this time as a deadly outbreak of unknown origin spreads through Charleston like wildfire.A routine autopsy on a couple of unidentified homicide victims takes a turn for the weird when Homeland Security swoops in and seizes the bodies. Even weirder, Clip and the attending pathologist are debriefed at a safe house where a doctor pokes and prods them to determine if they were infected, but Homeland Security won't tell them with what.Two homeless guys shooting each other isn't normally a matter of national security. But every time Clip investigates what the John Does were involved in, Homeland Security intervenes. When the bodies start piling up in his morgue--all seemingly healthy adults--he knows it's connected. There's been an outbreak and the government is trying to get a handle on it quickly and quietly. That is until it mushrooms out of control. Things turn for the worse when the funeral home's secretary is hospitalized, quickly followed by his girlfriend. Government officials place Charleston under quarantine, and DMORT arrives to deal with all the bodies. Clip needs to find out what's going on before half his city (and his loved ones) end up dead.It all started with those two John Does. He has to figure out which one is Patient Zero.