Intelligence Squared

Checking Out: The Industry That Takes Care Of The Dead

Mar 17, 2023

Hayley Campbell, a journalist and author known for her book on the intricacies of death, shares her lifelong fascination with mortality. In a compelling discussion, she explores the emotional narratives of funeral workers, mass fatality investigators, and even former executioners. She highlights how body donation plays a crucial role in medical training, alongside the compassionate practices of professionals in the death care industry. Campbell emphasizes the importance of openly discussing grief and the unique cultural practices that surround death.

50:45

Episode guests

Hayley Campbell

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

3min

Exploring Death Through Personal Narratives

11min

The Gift of Life: Body Donation in Medicine

5min

Cultivating a Thriving Workplace Culture

2min

The Humanity Behind Body Donation in Education

2min

Coping with Death: Unique Practices and Perspectives

22min

Navigating Death: Individual Choices and Gender Dynamics in the Funeral Industry

3min

Ever since she was a young child, journalist Hayley Campbell has been fascinated by death. It's the theme of her new book, All the Living and the Dead: An Exploration of the People Who Make Death Their Life’s Work, which has been acclaimed by the likes of Neil Gaiman, Nigella Lawson and Tuppence Middleton. In conversation with writer Blanche Girouard, Campbell relates the encounters she has had with the people who make a living by working with the dead, including mass fatality investigators, embalmers and a former executioner who is responsible for ending 62 lives. This episode contains discussion about grief and bereavement that some listeners may find distressing.

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