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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. What did Uncle Eddie need help coming up with as he was starting his suicide cleanup business?

2. When was the Oak Grove Bridge declared unsafe for vehicular traffic?

3. Approximately what percentage of Americans move at any given time?

4. What kind of car crushed a worker at a scrap metal yard in Lynch's story?

5. How long was the old-fashioned mourning period?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Janet Adkins ask Jack Kevorkian to assist in her suicide?

2. How does Lynch view the current state of debate over abortion?

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

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

5. What did Lynch mean when he said that "in even the best of caskets, it never all fits"?

6. How does Lynch describe people's different approaches to living life at the end of Chapter 8 and which approach did Sweeney take?

7. How does Sweeney approach the consuming of food delicacies?

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

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

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

Lynch suggested that a priest interested in a simple funeral might have more of an effect on his parishioners if he lived a life of simplicity rather than wait until he was dead (and beyond caring). Why did Lynch say that a being a dead saint was not worthwhile? Would a simple funeral satisfy the needs of the living and would it convince people of the saintliness of the dead person? Or is it better to live a life of simplicity and then allow the living to do whatever they feel the need to do once you've died? Why did the priest seem shocked by Lynch's advice?

Essay Topic 2

In the first chapter, Lynch repeatedly states that "the dead don't care" and that only the living care what happens to the body. Why are the dead valuable to the living? Why do the living feel the need to have ceremonies and other ways to recognize someone who no longer cares? In what ways are funeral services really for the living? Would it really matter what we do with the dead?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Lynch's friend, Matthew Sweeney. What does his hypochondria say about his attitude toward life? Is he wasting or damaging his life in useless worrying? Or does his worrying simply indicate a deeper understanding of life and acceptance of the fact that death is inevitable? Does his hypochondria place limits on how he lives his life or does it free him to embrace with gusto the good aspects of life (such as fine food)?

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