Books About Life, Death, and Nature Worth Adding to Your Reading List

Some books help us find the words for difficult conversations. Others offer comfort during times of loss, a fresh perspective on getting older, or a reminder to make the most of the time we have.

Whether you're planning for the future, caring for someone you love, navigating grief, or simply looking for your next great read, we've gathered a list of thoughtful books about life, death, nature, and everything in between.

A few are personal favorites from the Earth Funeral team. All offer something worth thinking about.

For anyone looking to have more meaningful conversations with the people they love.

What would you ask someone if you knew your time together was limited?

In this beloved memoir, Mitch Albom reconnects with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is living with ALS. Their weekly Tuesday conversations become lessons in love, family, friendship, and making the most of the time we have.

It's a quick read, but the kind you'll find yourself thinking about long after you've finished. And perhaps more importantly, it might inspire you to ask a few questions of your own while you still have the chance.

Get your copy here. 

For anyone who finds comfort in nature or a little peace in getting their hands in the soil.

There's something satisfying about planting a seed, tending to a garden, and watching something grow. But could gardening offer more than just beautiful flowers and fresh vegetables?

In The Well-Gardened Mind, psychiatrist and gardening enthusiast Sue Stuart-Smith explores the surprising ways working with nature can support our wellbeing, providing opportunities for reflection, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Through personal stories and scientific research, she explores how something as simple as caring for a garden can offer a sense of calm during life's more challenging seasons.

Whether you're navigating a big life change, caring for someone you love, or simply looking for a reason to spend a little more time outdoors, this book offers a fresh perspective on the value of slowing down and growing something meaningful.

It's a lovely reminder that sometimes, the smallest things we nurture can make the biggest difference.

Get your copy here.

For anyone navigating loss and looking for something practical to turn to.

Grief looks different for everyone, and sometimes even knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming.

In The Mourning Handbook, Helen Fitzgerald explores the many emotions, questions, and everyday challenges that can come with losing someone you love.

One of our team members especially appreciated that, after the opening chapters, you can turn directly to the sections most relevant to your experience.

For anyone navigating a recent loss or supporting someone who is, it's a resource that offers different perspectives to explore at your own pace.

Get your copy here.

For anyone exploring end-of-life options or curious about the traditions surrounding death.

A memoir about working in a crematory might not sound like your typical weekend read, but Caitlin Doughty makes it surprisingly funny, fascinating, and thought-provoking.

Drawing on her early experiences in the funeral industry, Doughty explores death traditions, modern funeral practices, and why talking about death can feel so uncomfortable.

For families beginning to think about their own arrangements, it's an interesting introduction to the customs we've come to accept and the questions we don't always think to ask.

It's a little dark, occasionally gruesome, and may not be for everyone. But as one of our team members shared, its candid approach makes it a fascinating read on a subject we don't often discuss openly.

Get your copy here.

For anyone who could use a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy the life they're living.

A tea monk and a robot walk into the wilderness. What follows is an unexpectedly charming story about purpose, happiness, and what it means to live a good life.

Set in a hopeful, nature-filled future, this short science fiction novel is equal parts imaginative and comforting.

At its heart is a question worth considering at any stage of life: what if finding happiness isn't always about accomplishing more?

No complicated plot to keep track of. Just an interesting little story with some surprisingly big ideas.

Perfect for a quiet weekend and a warm cup of something.

Get your copy here.

For anyone navigating aging, caring for a loved one, or starting important conversations about the future.

What matters most as we get older? And how do we make room for those things when life doesn't go according to plan?

In Being Mortal, surgeon and writer Atul Gawande explores aging, medicine, and the decisions families face near the end of life.

Through real stories and personal experiences, he examines how independence, dignity, and personal wishes can shape the care we receive as we age.

If you've been wondering how to approach conversations with your parents or loved ones about their future, this book offers thoughtful questions to consider together.

It's one of those reads that might leave you wanting to call someone you love.

Get your copy here.

For anyone facing life's unexpected turns or reflecting on what matters most.

How do you make the most of life when the future suddenly looks different than you imagined?

In When Breath Becomes Air, neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi shares his experience after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at just 36. As he transitions from doctor to patient, he begins asking questions about purpose, family, and what makes a life worth living.

A favorite among multiple Earth team members, this moving memoir offers families facing uncertainty a chance to reflect on love, time, and the moments that matter most.

Get your copy here.

For anyone experiencing grief or wondering how to better support someone who is.

When someone we love dies, it can feel like the world expects us to find a way to move forward before we're ready.

In It's OK That You're Not OK, author and grief counselor Megan Devine challenges familiar expectations about loss, offering a more compassionate perspective on what it means to live with grief.

Drawing on her personal experience of losing her partner, Devine explores why grief doesn't follow a predictable timeline and why feeling better isn't something anyone should be pressured to rush.

One of our team members recommended the book after finding Devine's writing course particularly helpful during her own experience with grief.

For those experiencing a loss, or trying to understand what a loved one may be going through, it's an invitation to approach grief with more patience and compassion.

Get your copy here.

For anyone looking for honest, relatable stories about life after loss.

Grief can be messy, unpredictable, and sometimes surprisingly awkward. And while no two people experience it the same way, hearing someone else's story can make our own experiences feel a little less isolating.

In Modern Loss, Rebecca Soffer and Gabrielle Birkner bring together personal stories from people navigating different kinds of loss, exploring everything from unexpected reminders of loved ones to the challenges of finding your footing after a death.

It's candid, relatable, and refreshingly honest, with moments of humor woven throughout.

One of our team members recommended it for the variety of real-life experiences it shares, recognizing that different stories may resonate with different readers.

For families navigating loss, it's a reminder that there's no single way to grieve, remember, or carry someone's memory forward.

Get your copy here.

For anyone caring for someone they love, or who has experienced the difference a little compassion can make.

Caring for someone you love can be one of life's most meaningful experiences, but it isn't always easy. Sometimes, the smallest gestures of kindness and support can make the biggest difference.

In The Language of Kindness, former nurse Christie Watson shares stories from her twenty years in healthcare, offering a moving, behind-the-scenes look at the people who care for us during some of life's most vulnerable moments.

From welcoming new life to supporting patients and families through their final days, Watson explores what it really means to care for another person and the lasting impact of compassion along the way.

It's a reminder that those providing care deserve kindness and support, too.

At Earth Funeral, we believe that same compassion should extend to the families making end-of-life arrangements. From answering questions to understanding personal wishes, our Care Team is here to offer thoughtful, individual support so families don't have to navigate funeral planning alone.

Get your copy here.

Your Next Great Read Is Waiting

Whether you're looking for a little comfort, a fresh perspective, or simply a good story to get lost in, we hope you've found something here worth adding to your reading list.

These books are shared as thoughtful recommendations, not prescriptions. Everyone's experiences are different, and we hope you'll take from them whatever feels meaningful to you.

And what better way to discover your next favorite than by supporting a local bookstore? Find one near you through Bookshop.org, or check your local library.

Continue the Conversation

Whether a book has inspired you to think about your own wishes or start a conversation with someone you love, we're here to help you explore what comes next.

• Create a personalized quote — Explore pricing and service options tailored to your family's needs.
• Contact our Care Team — Ask questions, discuss your wishes, and connect with a licensed funeral director to explore your options.
• Watch how it works — Explore our soil transformation process, see our facilities, and hear from families who have chosen Earth Funeral.