Even While They Sleep: My Life as a Sussex Funeral Director

From collapsing graves to losing elderly folk at the zoo, from the Red Arrows Display Team and late night encounters with gun-wielding neighbours, this memoir is as unpredictable as life - and death - can be. Even While They Sleep: My Life as a Sussex Funeral Director is an honest, heartfelt memoir recounting one man’s transition from an artificial teeth factory to the delicate role of a funeral director in East Sussex.

With midnight callouts, burials at sea, and insights into the ever-changing trends in music, culture, and funerals themselves, this book takes readers on a journey through decades of a profession that touches every facet of human life. From the days before mobile phones to the rise of the unattended funeral, Peter Waring reflects on how his career has shaped not only his life but also his family’s, in a world where grief, love, and laughter often walk hand-in-hand.

Guided by faith, and inspired by a personal moment at a funeral, Peter embraced a vocation that allowed him to serve grieving families with compassion and professionalism. Through anecdotes that blend humour, sadness, and hope, the book offers an insightful look into the funeral industry and the author’s journey of finding purpose in helping others during their most difficult times.

Trigger warning: this book contains sensitive discussions of death, detailed descriptions of funeral and aspects of funeral preparation.