Death and Mortician's Secrets: An Eye-Opening Conversation with Caitlin Doughty

💀Caitlin's fascination with death began in college, where she studied medieval history and focused on death in the Middle Ages.

🤔Caitlin started working at a crematory to experience 20th and 21st-century American death firsthand.

😄Caitlin's goal with her YouTube channel is to create a safe space for discussing death, where people can ask questions without feeling weird or morbid.

🌹Caitlin challenges the idea of preserving a lifelike appearance in embalming, advocating for bodies to look dead, as that is their natural state.

🧠Caitlin finds handling the brain to be the most fascinating and symbolic part of her job, as it represents the seat of the soul and personality.

How did Caitlin get into the funeral industry?

—Caitlin's interest in death started in college while studying medieval history. She then worked at a crematory and has been in the funeral industry for 13 years.

Why did Caitlin start a YouTube channel on this topic?

—Caitlin wanted to create a safe space for discussing death and provide lighthearted yet respectful information on a taboo subject. She aims to normalize conversations about death and answer people's questions.

What is Caitlin's opinion on preserving a lifelike appearance in embalming?

—Caitlin believes that bodies should look dead, as that is their natural state. She challenges the idea that embalming should focus on creating a visually lifelike appearance.

What does Caitlin find most fascinating about her job?

—Caitlin finds handling the brain the most fascinating and symbolic part of her job, as it represents the seat of the soul and personality.

Where can I find more information about Caitlin Doughty and her work?

—You can find more information about Caitlin Doughty on her YouTube channel, as well as on her social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. She also runs Clarity Funerals & Cremation in Los Angeles.

00:00In this video, Caitlin Doughty discusses her career in the funeral industry and provides insights into death and the afterlife.

09:22Caitlin explains the significance of the brain and why it is her favorite organ to handle in her job.

02:27Caitlin shares her perspective on the appearance of bodies after embalming, challenging the idea of creating a lifelike appearance.

00:16Caitlin talks about her interest in death, which began in college while studying medieval history.

03:58Caitlin discusses her approach to delivering difficult medical news and the importance of being straightforward and comforting to patients.