The Art of the Obituary

Marilyn Johnson never expected to be an obituary writer. But after she penned a much-read tribute to Princess Diana after her untimely death, Marilyn found herself compelled to write more and more obituaries of high-profile citizens – sometimes for celebrities who hadn't even passed-on yet. Tonight, we'll talk with her about her search for some of the most compelling obituaries and obit writers from around the world, and why she finds the craft so intriguing.

Marilyn Johnson is the author of The Dead beat: Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs, and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries. She's giving a presentation at the University of New Hampshire this evening. Click here for details.