We are going to be talking about death, but not in the usual ways we do on this podcast. There will be little discussion of the paranormal, and no mention of grizzly murders, unsolved or otherwise. Instead, we will be looking into the lives and businesses of those who spend the most time with the dead – Undertakers. Joining us will be a historical researcher and author, Marion Roes, to talk about her new book, Death as Life’s Work, which focuses on Undertakers and Funeral Businesses in the Waterloo, Ontario region from 1850-2020. Marion will be sharing with us some of the practices that have changed in the industry over the years, surprising artifacts she unearthed during her research, and her family’s unique experience of operating a funeral home for over 100 years.
Follow Marion Roes on Twitter and her Facebook Page “Undertakers and Their Businesses in Waterloo Region“.
Photo: Marion’s Grandfather, Christian Dreisinger, who made his own embalming fluid with his bare hands.