Sorry for Your Trouble

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In Ireland, death is approached with a unique blend of dignified ritual and warm sociability. Funeral attendance is seen as both a solemn duty and a significant social event, requiring careful crowd management and creative solutions. Ann Marie Hourihane explores this cultural phenomenon, reflecting on the humorous, sad, and complex aspects of Irish death rituals. She chronicles the final weeks of a woman's life in hospice, witnesses an embalming, attends inquests, and engages with those working to prevent suicide. Hourihane also follows specialists searching for remains of individuals 'disappeared' by the IRA and visits contested graves throughout the country. The book delves into the history of Irish death practices, from traditional wakes to the relationship between anatomists and bodysnatchers. Hourihane attends funerals for both ordinary and extraordinary individuals, including her own father's. She describes her experience of joining the "club" of those who have lost loved ones and the challenges of planning a funeral during a pandemic. This insightful work offers a fresh perspective on a vital yet often overlooked aspect of Irish culture, blending humor and wisdom in its exploration of life and loss.