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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When were the first sealed caskets made?

2. What was Kevorkian's training in?

3. What was the first name of the girl Lynch met and fell in love with?

4. How much did the simple cardboard box cost?

5. What was Reader's favorite holiday?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do most people view undertakers, according to Lynch?

2. How do Lynch and his wife differ in their views of Milford as they walk through town in Chapter 7?

3. What did Lynch see as the advantage of being at the midpoint of one's life?

4. What characteristic of "successful" suicides did Lynch say he admired?

5. What statement does a casket, versus a simple coffin, make?

6. How did Lynch react to the body of the young man who shot himself in Chapter 9?

7. What did Lynch want from his funeral, when all was said and done?

8. What lesson did Lynch want to teach Sweeney with his story of the man killed by the falling vehicle at the scrap metal yard?

9. How did Lynch feel about the prospect of his loved ones feeling guilt at his funeral?

10. Why have more and more Americans opted for cremation, according to Lynch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Houses used to be the location of many of life's most significant occurrences (birth, courtship, marriage, death and funeral preparation). Today, many American homes have rooms that are rarely used (living rooms) and rooms that appear to be nothing more than trophies (huge kitchens in homes where eating out is the norm). How has this change affected society? How has it affected the ability of families to remain close to one another? Are there any benefits to this arrangement? How has isolating key aspects of life from one another affected us?

Essay Topic 2

Lynch discussed the criticisms faced by his profession from various authors and the media. Were these criticisms justified? Is there something inherent in the field that makes it impossible for "customers" to get a fair deal? Does preplanning a funeral help avoid some of the more difficult issues? Why do people criticize the profession as a whole while insisting that they themselves had a positive experience in the past? How does Lynch defend his profession?

Essay Topic 3

Lynch and his brothers embalmed their father's body at his request. What was the significance of this act? Do you think it was painful or satisfying? Why did the father want his sons to do this? Why did the sons agree to it rather than hire another undertaker from outside the family? How did the father benefit from knowing that his sons would be there for him at his death? And how did the sons benefit from this act?

(see the answer keys)

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