Includes index.

Part I: public treasures : The creators -- A nation's heroes and martyrs -- Public servants -- Reformers and renegades -- Warriors in the African-American story -- A nation's dead -- The eulogy as social commentary -- Death be not solemn -- Part II: private lives : Parents -- Children -- Brothers and others -- Such good friends -- Animal loves -- Part III: words of consolation : What death means -- Grief defined -- Letters of condolence -- Poetry.