A Certain Kind of Death (2003)

April 21, 2024 3:08 PM

Unblinking and unsettling, this documentary lays bare a mysterious process that goes on all around us - what happens to people who die with no next of kin.

Not a pleasant film, but a fascinating and deeply empathetic look at the civil servants tasked with dignifying some of the least fortunate in society. Available on YouTube.

posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon (3 comments total)

I watched this movie a few years after it came out, but at least a dozen years ago, if not more. One thing I do recall was how antiquated the systems that people in those city offices had to deal with. It seemed like it made their jobs harder than necessary even then, and I wonder if it has changed in the 20 years since. The ending of the film was especially poignant to me and changed my thinking a bit about what to do with my ashes when I am gone.
posted by briank at 8:05 AM on April 22

I watched Titcut Follies through to the end and no thank you very much.
posted by whuppy at 7:44 AM on April 23 [1 favorite]

Ah, Grover and Blue! I am biased because I know these two but I thought this was such a brutal yet respectful film. I really admire for all the thought they put into their projects. I should watch this again but there's one scene that I'm a little squeamish about (maybe my memory is making it bigger than what it was).
posted by queensissy at 12:28 PM on April 23