Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: How Talking About Death Changes How You Live
A review of Caitlin Doughty's powerful book about death acceptance and how confronting mortality can bring clarity to life
2023-01-01
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A review of Caitlin Doughty's powerful book about death acceptance and how confronting mortality can bring clarity to life
"Thinking about death clarifies your life." – Caitlin Doughty
Death is one of the few certainties in life, yet most of us do everything we can to avoid thinking about it. In Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Caitlin Doughty confronts this cultural avoidance head-on. The book chronicles her experiences working in a crematory and explores how societies have faced mortality throughout history.
This isn't a book designed to be comfortable. It's designed to be necessary. By facing death directly, we gain perspective on life. Priorities sharpen, relationships deepen, and we become more present. It's also a profound reminder that preparing for death (your own or that of loved ones) is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your community.
Caitlin Doughty is a mortician, author, and advocate for death acceptance. Through her writing, videos, and public speaking, she has helped shift how people think about mortality, encouraging open conversation about one of life's most universal experiences. You can learn more about her on Wikipedia or visit her official website.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes is about living with clarity once you stop running from what's inevitable. It starts with naming death, not dodging it.