Objects of the Dead

Reflecting on poignant and universal experience, this nostalgic book examines the death of a loved one and the often uneasy process of living with and discarding the possessions that are left behind—a daughter’s hairbrush, a father’s favorite chair, or a husband’s clothes. Beautifully written and extensively researched, this guide chronicles the issues surrounding inheritance and the power of objects to bind and unbind families. Written from a sociologist’s perspective, this wide-ranging examination of grief is supplemented by firsthand accounts from Australians of various ages and backgrounds. Through personal stories, literature, film, and memoir, the discussion analyzes the difficulties, regrets, and disagreements triggered by the deceased’s belongings.