Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory
Her debut book and foundational memoir, introducing her perspective on cremation, funeral work, and death acceptance.
Author guide
Caitlin Doughty Books in Order
Caitlin Doughty is an American mortician, writer, filmmaker, and death-acceptance advocate. She founded The Order of the Good Death and created the Ask a Mortician educational documentary series. Her nonfiction combines memoir, cultural history, travel writing, humor, and practical discussion of death care, cremation, burial, and mourning.
nonfictionmemoirtravel writingdeath studieshumor
Catalog record updated .
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death
An accessible question-and-answer introduction to her approach, especially suitable for readers who prefer shorter, focused chapters.
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (1)
Nonfiction (2)
- From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death
travel memoir · 2017
Describes death customs and rituals from around the world, exploring how they compare to the impersonal American system and how mourners respond best when they participate in caring for the deceased.
Frequently asked questions about Caitlin Doughty
Who is Caitlin Doughty, and what is she known for?
Caitlin Doughty is a mortician, writer, and funeral-industry reform advocate. She is known for creating the Ask a Mortician web series and founding The Order of the Good Death.
Sources: wwnorton.co.uk (opens in a new tab)orderofthegooddeath.com (opens in a new tab)
What inspired Caitlin Doughty's interest in death and funeral culture?
Her interest was shaped by reading about death and the macabre in high school, studying medieval history at the University of Chicago, and engaging with influential works on death and funerary traditions by Philippe Ariès and Ernest Becker.
How did Caitlin Doughty build her career as a mortician and educator?
She began in the funeral industry as a crematory operator and later became a licensed funeral director. She turned that firsthand experience into public education through Ask a Mortician and advocacy through The Order of the Good Death.
Sources: ted.com (opens in a new tab)orderofthegooddeath.com (opens in a new tab)
What does Caitlin Doughty's death-positive advocacy mean?
It encourages people to treat death as a natural part of life and to challenge the fear, silence, and limited choices surrounding dying and funerals. Her organization also advocates for more equitable and environmentally responsible death-care options.
What awards and honors has Caitlin Doughty received?
Her memoir was shortlisted for the 2015 PEN Center USA Literary Award for Creative Nonfiction. Her 2019 book Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? won the 2019 Goodreads Choice Award for Science & Technology.
Sources: wwnorton.co.uk (opens in a new tab)goodreads.com (opens in a new tab)