True story: when I was 25 years old, I raised $2m in venture capital and became the CEO of a funeral startup. Here's a story about a cremation conference.
I had no problem with the length, but then again I’m recently retired so have plenty of time for a longer read. :) Absolutely do not wish it were more business-y; your observation and characterization of the people you encounter are the highlight of the story, the business part is just a framework to set these jewels into.
I think the death industry is kind of fertile ground for interesting stories, perhaps because of the people that are drawn to it, or because it’s not been written to death about (pun intended!), or perhaps just because of our own awkward relationship with death.
Meanwhile, I want to learn what happens with tomorrow’s 3pm call — nice cliffhanger!
I enjoyed the story you brought us on and the witty but detailed descriptions of people - I would have gone to Riverwalk and failed miserably being a people pleaser - bring more!!!
Enjoyed the flow of the article. The parts did give sense of time & format. Funny enough I looked into Mortuary Science degree while I was in SoCal but Cypress College was closest institution. Did you watch Love is Blind UK with Freddy the funeral director?
I liked the story format, although I also like the essay format on occasion. It was plenty business-y, so I probably wouldn’t have want it to be very much more business-y. I would gladly read more about the death industry, especially as well-written as this was.
I love this format. I like not being sure where it's going/what the closure is (or if there is any). And I don't wish it was more business-y at all -- you have a strength in capturing emotions/situations, and I think some of it would get lost. Great story :)
I loved the story. Excellent descriptions of the different characters. I definitely want to read more. It's a new world for me and the people in it have to "have their reasons." I sometimes find the writing a bit too "smug." However, well done, Alexander.
"Sophie and I nod in agreement — maybe flesh-burning is more natural."
I laughed out loud. Great line. I read your ayahuasca story a long time ago and the algorithm must know because I was just talking about it the other day. Don't change your writing style. I love it.
You're a good writer, Alex. To me, the most interesting part of this piece was the beginning. I was impressed that such a young person could grab 2 million in venture cap. and become a CEO of a death business. I loved the rich guy not wanting to deal with death, passing it on to a less rich guy, and then to a young you. I wanted to know more. If I hadn't liked your writing, I probably wouldn't have read the conference part; to me, conferences are boring. I did scan some of it. I'd like more gory details. When my husband, 38 years old, was cremated in Georgia, there was a big news story about a nearby cremation site that had fallen behind. The oven broke down or something. Bodies were found in shallow graves all over the lot. I'd like to read that story.
I really enjoyed this, Alex. The length was fine, because your writing is so entertaining. I, for one, would not have wanted it more business-y. And I’m definitely interested in more about the death industry. It’s fascinating.
Length was good. The characters were interesting. I have always found the death industry fascinating. The cliffhanger, of course, makes the reader curious about what happens next. What was Chris like and was he helpful? More please.
I had no problem with the length, but then again I’m recently retired so have plenty of time for a longer read. :) Absolutely do not wish it were more business-y; your observation and characterization of the people you encounter are the highlight of the story, the business part is just a framework to set these jewels into.
I think the death industry is kind of fertile ground for interesting stories, perhaps because of the people that are drawn to it, or because it’s not been written to death about (pun intended!), or perhaps just because of our own awkward relationship with death.
Meanwhile, I want to learn what happens with tomorrow’s 3pm call — nice cliffhanger!
Haha okay. Good to know. I have a few other essays about the space that are all human-focused.
I enjoyed the story you brought us on and the witty but detailed descriptions of people - I would have gone to Riverwalk and failed miserably being a people pleaser - bring more!!!
Hahah. Then you would have never spoken to Chris Clarke!
Enjoyed the flow of the article. The parts did give sense of time & format. Funny enough I looked into Mortuary Science degree while I was in SoCal but Cypress College was closest institution. Did you watch Love is Blind UK with Freddy the funeral director?
You can always go back haha
I did not. I hate reality tv
I kind of liked it. It had an un-stoned Hunter S. Thompson kind of vibe.
I've never read his stuff. What should I read of his?
Oh boy, I’d give “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” a shot. It’s a classic and also pretty hilarious.
I liked the story format, although I also like the essay format on occasion. It was plenty business-y, so I probably wouldn’t have want it to be very much more business-y. I would gladly read more about the death industry, especially as well-written as this was.
Okay cool lemme think on which piece to clean up next.
I love this format. I like not being sure where it's going/what the closure is (or if there is any). And I don't wish it was more business-y at all -- you have a strength in capturing emotions/situations, and I think some of it would get lost. Great story :)
Okay cool. Yeah — I wrote a very business-y piece a while ago and it was fun but maybe not as fun as this.
This was a delight - more so bcz I recently finished watching Six Feet Under (yep, that’s me, 20 yrs behind the times!) Can’t wait to read further…
I loved the story. Excellent descriptions of the different characters. I definitely want to read more. It's a new world for me and the people in it have to "have their reasons." I sometimes find the writing a bit too "smug." However, well done, Alexander.
That's because the author is smug
"Sophie and I nod in agreement — maybe flesh-burning is more natural."
I laughed out loud. Great line. I read your ayahuasca story a long time ago and the algorithm must know because I was just talking about it the other day. Don't change your writing style. I love it.
You're a good writer, Alex. To me, the most interesting part of this piece was the beginning. I was impressed that such a young person could grab 2 million in venture cap. and become a CEO of a death business. I loved the rich guy not wanting to deal with death, passing it on to a less rich guy, and then to a young you. I wanted to know more. If I hadn't liked your writing, I probably wouldn't have read the conference part; to me, conferences are boring. I did scan some of it. I'd like more gory details. When my husband, 38 years old, was cremated in Georgia, there was a big news story about a nearby cremation site that had fallen behind. The oven broke down or something. Bodies were found in shallow graves all over the lot. I'd like to read that story.
I really enjoyed this, Alex. The length was fine, because your writing is so entertaining. I, for one, would not have wanted it more business-y. And I’m definitely interested in more about the death industry. It’s fascinating.
Length was good. The characters were interesting. I have always found the death industry fascinating. The cliffhanger, of course, makes the reader curious about what happens next. What was Chris like and was he helpful? More please.