Early in my journey toward becoming a death doula, I came across the book Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty. Doughty is a founder of Order of the Good Death and a tireless advocate for death positivity and education. This book talks about her time as a brand new employee in a crematory at the beginning of her death care and death work journey. It is full of so many wonderful stories and insights, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Right now, this quote is particularly powerful and needs to be shared.

“It is no surprise that the people trying so frantically to extend our lifespans are almost entirely rich, white men. Men who have lived lives of systematic privilege, and believe that privilege should extend indefinitely.”
― Caitlin Doughty: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory