• A is for Arsenic

    A is for Arsenic

    Chris Woodyard very kindly sent a copy of the book A is for Arsenic: an ABC for Victorian Death, a book that is perfect to read during the spooky month, when the boundaries between the dead and the living are thinner. The book is not really ‘spooky’ at all, unless you are afraid of Victorian…

  • Grief is for people

    Grief is for people

    As the photo accompanying this article might betray, this is the second time I read Grief is for People this year. The first time in May, when my apple tree was still blossoming. The second time was today. The apple tree is now shedding its yellow autumn leaves and preparing for winter. Waiting several months…

  • Death Glitch

    Death Glitch

    Digital remains are a challenge in terms of whether they can be passed on, or whether ownership solely lies with the deceased owner. Recently a judge in the Netherlands denied a widower access to his late wife’s Facebook private messages; it was argued that the people who were chatting with his wife were entitled to…

  • A data-driven analysis of cemeteries and social reform in Paris, 1804-1924

    A data-driven analysis of cemeteries and social reform in Paris, 1804-1924

    Our eyes have been on Paris for the past couple of weeks. Every Olympics I discover sports I did not know existed (speed climbing, I’m looking at you). Every time I am in awe of people’s sportsmanship and amazed how well the Netherlands always seems to do in these events (Finland, sadly, took home zero…

  • Thunderclap

    Thunderclap

    As a child growing up in Amsterdam, primary school included museum classes in local museums. These included trips to the Rijksmuseum, home to a selection of Dutch Masters from the 17th Century. Rembrandt’s De Nachtwacht inspires visitors far and wide to visit. I might alienate readers very quickly, very soon as I have never really…

  • All the Living and the Dead

    All the Living and the Dead

    In All the living and the dead journalist Hayley Campbell shines a light on death-related jobs that often stay hidden in the margins. The book lifts the lid on the behind-the-scenes of the people that (sometimes quite literally) do the groundwork. Some jobs, like funeral directors and celebrants, might be considered obvious death work, but…