respect-for-the-dead

In this chapter, Shadow spends time with Mr. Ibis, a funeral director who explains the nature of death, the funeral industry, and the history of his family and people, tracing their origins back to ancient Nile civilizations and their long-standing presence in America. Through their conversation, Shadow learns about the cultural significance of death rituals, the commercialization of funerals, and alternative historical narratives that challenge mainstream scientific views on migration and settlement. The chapter ends with Shadow being introduced to the mortuary work environment and the presence of a recently deceased young woman.