Over My Dead Body

In what ways, if at all, did this book influence your own views on death, burial, and honoring the dead?

How much did you know about American cemetaries and burial practices prior to reading this book? What made you want to pick up this book and learn more?

What was the most interesting new thing you learned from this book? What stories or facts particularly stuck with you?

Discuss how the book challenges common perceptions and stereotypes about cemeteries. What new perspectives did you gain about the role of cemeteries in society?

Melville calls graveyards "vast outdoor archives of art, history, literature, religion, life, and death." In what ways does the book showcase the multifaceted nature of cemeteries and their significance beyond just being places of burial?

The author weaves together personal anecdotes and experiences with the historical and cultural exploration of cemeteries. How effective was this narrative approach in engaging you?

The book covers the history of segregation and displacement of indigenous remains in American cemeteries. How does this painful legacy continue to impact cemeteries and burial practices today?

Have you ever visited any notable cemeteries? Are there any specific ones that you'd now like to visit or revisit after reading this book, and if so, what do you hope to discover or experience there?

Melville argues that "what's most sacred in this world isn't what happens to our bodies after death but how and for whom we live our lives." Unpack this statement and explore how it relates to the themes and perspectives presented in the book.