Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!

8.3.14: The Death Show

Rob Shenk via Flickr CC

Ceased to be, eternal rest, journey’s end, six feet under. First, why do we have such a hard time facing the realities of death? We’ll begin with planning for it….and the importance of getting your wishes in order. Then, we find out what happens when someone dies mysteriously. Death by murder…or owl? And, we’ll talk to the Boston Globe’s obituary writer about the growing number of people writing selfie-obits. Today, Word of Mouth casts off the euphemisms and talks directly about death.

Listen to the full show and Read more for individual segments.

Addressing Death and Lasting Matters

No matter how you frame it, light it, or script it, we are all facing the final act…the inevitable…the void…game over. No matter how un-gently you rage against the dying of the light…one day, the bell will toll for thee. So why is something so universal and natural so difficult to discuss directly? Why can’t we just say the words? Barbara Bates Sedoric is trying to change the way people deal with death. She is president and founder of Lasting Matters and author of a planning tool called The Lasting Matters Organizer. She spoke with us about how to better prepare for the inevitable.

WOM07302014A.mp3
Addressing Death and Lasting Matters

Here's a video for more information.

LastingMatters from Barbara Sedoric on Vimeo.

How Hollywood Killed Death

In last year’s Star Trek: Into Darkness, it takes Captain Kirk a long couple of minutes to die onscreen. The only problem is that he hasn’t actually died. Writer Alexander Huls argues films like Star Trek: Into Darkness are ruining the emotional resonance of on-screen fatalities. His article “How Hollywood Killed Death” appeared in the New York Times.

WOM07302014B.mp3
How Hollywood Killed Death

Here's Samuel L. Jackson in Deep Blue Sea, whose death scene Huls considers to be one of the best in cinematic history.

Criminal: Animal Instincts

In 2001, a husband was convicted of murdering his wife in cold blood. One neighbor opposed this theory and instead posed one of his own: the murderer had been not man but beast. An owl, to be specific. Producers Phoebe Judge, Eric Mennel, and Lauren Spohrer of the podcast Criminal brought us this story.

WOM07302014C.mp3
Criminal: Animal Instincts

How To Write An Obituary

In March, character actor James Rebhorn died. His obituary was remarkable not because of his considerable accomplishments but becausehe had written it himself. He’s just one of the many people who are doing the same thing. How and why might a person write their own obituary? We’re putting that question to the Grimmie Award-winning Boston Globe obituary writer Bryan Marquard

WOM07302014D.mp3
How To Write An Obituary

The Serious Business of Funny Obituaries

The satirical news site The Onion is famous for their stories poking fun at everything ranging from annoying neighbors to office culture, including…obituaries? Cole Bolton, editor of The Onion, spoke with us about the challenge of writingfunny obituaries for real people.

WOM07302014E.mp3
The Serious Business of Funny Obituaries

And now, we have a challenge for you: we want your six-word obituary. You can post it below in the comments, on ourFacebook page, or Tweet it to us @wordofmouth. We'll start: We Loved Exploring This Fascinating World.

Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.