The Definitive Guide to Underground Humor: Quaint Quotes About Death, Funny Funeral Home Stories and Hilarious Headstone Epitaphs (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Edmund Gwenn, the famous actor, observed Dying is easy..." (more)
Key Phrases: committal service, funeral home, pall bearers, Bella Mia

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . a light, humorous approach to a serious subject we all must face. Ed shows that even in the gravest of situations, humor can be found." -- Christopher J. Dodd, US Senator from Connecticut

"Edward Bergin has a good, quick sense of humor and he can write." -- John Daley, Republican-American

"That is a great book . . ." -- John G. Rowland, Governor of Connecticut

"What is going to happen to us when we die, if these anecdotes are any indication, will be pretty damn funny . . . After a couple of readings, I arrived at the opinion that the book should be on the required reading list of every college in the country. It should be the subject of graduate dissertations. Edward Bergin should be on 'Nightline'." -- Alistair Highet, Litchfield County Times

"Yes, there is humor and human nature aplenty in this book . . ." -- Richard Tambling, The Journal Inquirer

Product Description

"Edmund Gwenn, the famous actor, observed 'Dying is easy. Comedy is difficult.' Well, any comic will tell you, comedy about dying is really hard. But necessary. For what greater triumph of the human spirit exists than to defiantly mock the grinning reaper, specter of our darkest fears? 'Hey Death--is that a sickle in your hand or are you just glad to see me?'" -- by Anita Wise, stand up comedian/writer who has appeared on the "Tonight Show" and "Seinfeld."

That passage from the Foreword of the book "The Definitive Guide To Underground Humor" sets the stage by capturing the morbidly amusing essence of the succeeding pages. This book dares to explore the comical depths of death and the black humor hidden deep within us all, featuring: Quaint Quotes About Death from such people as Robin Williams, Woody Allen, Johnny Carson, Dennis Miller & Anita Wise; Funny Funeral Home Stories from anonymous funeral directors, embalmers, pall bearers, limo drivers and others who work in the funeral service industry; Hilarious Headstone Epitaphs from graveyards in different parts of the world; and Funeral-Flavored Comics from Non Sequitur & The Wizard of Id.

And who better to unearth this type of humor than someone with 122 years of service in the funeral industry in his genes. Author Edward Bergin's family has owned and/or operated funeral homes in Connecticut since the 1800s.

To those of you who might be uneasy about the idea of a book that deals with the lighter side of death, Anita Wise offers the following for you to ponder: "We enter the world crying, isn't it only fitting to leave it laughing? After all, death is not the final exit, but only a revolving door."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Offbeat Pub; 2nd edition (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964844281
• ISBN-13: 978-0964844285
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,164,938 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta be in the industry to appreciate 'Underground Humor', February 3, 2001

By	Mark B. Chiavaroli "----Mark" (Glendale, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Well, there have been 6 reviews of 'Underground Humor' before me. With the obvious contrast of the reviews being all or nothing. I can only speculate that those negative reviews are from persons who have never worked in the funeral industry. My wife and I are both from the death care background and we both loved it as well as many of our associates. The only friend of ours that did not appreciate the book has never been part of the funeral biz, nor does he ever want to be part of it. So go figure. Well, as I see it, if you're in the biz, you'll love it, if not, oh well..... I give it two well-embalmed thumbs up.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The funeral business comes alive with this hilarious book!, June 13, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

What a witty and clever fellow this Ed Bergin is to have put together such a unique collection of funny funeral-related stories, headstone epitaphs, and quotes about death. While death isn't a laughing matter, this book proves that funny things happen when you're dealing with people, dead or alive. It's great to see that funeral professionals working under the most stressful conditions have occasional reasons to laugh. If you have an advanced sense of humor, you will appreciate this book. It's not for stiffs.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Different Kind Of Humor Book, March 12, 2001

By	Irvin Goodman - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is an interesting, small (95 pages) book filled with funeral and related humor. It's not for everyone, but many readers will enjoy the humor as related by "funeral workers." The major topics include Quaint Quotes, Ridiculous Removals and Funeral Arrangements, Wacky Wakes, Funny Funerals, and Hilarious Headstones. There are about 120 different stories, jokes and miscellaneous included. It makes for interesting reading and can bring you some smiles. Those who are offended by humor related to death and dying will not appreciate the book. Other readers will enjoy it. It's a change from the ordinary.