I’d like to recommend one of my favorite games where Death takes center stage: A Mortician’s Tale.
It’s a small but eye-opening game — especially for those of us who don’t live in the U.S., and perhaps even more important for Americans to learn about the choices they actually have when it comes to both their loved ones’ funerals and their own.
Steam describes the game like this:
A Mortician's Tale takes about 1 hour to play. It's a short, but deeply meaningful experience.
A Mortician's Tale is a story-driven death positive video game where you play as a mortician tasked with running a funeral home. Take on the role of recent funeral direction graduate Charlie as she learns the ropes of the business and industry. Prepare the bodies of the deceased (via embalming or cremation), attend their funerals and listen to their loved ones' stories, and interact with Charlie's coworkers, clients, and bosses.
A Mortician's Tale is an informative, honest, and sometimes humorous look at the current state of and the future of the western death industry.
A Mortician’s Tale was developed by the indie game studio Laundry Bear Games 2017.
A major inspiration behind the game was the American funeral director, author, and YouTuber Caitlin Doughty and the organization The Order of the Good Death.
A Mortician’s Tale is available for Windows, macOS, and iOS,
and can be purchased on Steam, itch.io, Apple’s App Store and Humble Bundle.
Have you played A Mortician’s Tale? What did you think of it?
A short story with Quinley & Herrow
Who are Quinley and Herrow?
In Coffinfolk Café’s stand alone short stories, you’ll meet two most unlikely friends:
Quinley – Coffinfolk’s café host. A young woman who loves life just as much as she loves exploring the cultural heritage of death and sharing advice, information, and insights that can help people – whether they are facing their own encounter with Death or living with grief.
Herrow – Death himself. He may look frightening in his black cloak, but beneath the bones is a kind soul who enjoys a cup of coffee and sharing experiences gathered from every corner of time.
You can find a longer introduction + a short story about their first meeting HERE
“A Small Game with a Big Impact”
Narrated by Quinley
No spoilers for A Mortician’s Tale!
The soft background music played through my headphones as I prepared the deceased man for his funeral on the screen.
“There, all done. Your family’s waiting for you,” I murmured quietly to myself with a smile, clicking on to the next part of the game. One by one, I let the character Charlie listen to the mourners who had gathered to say their goodbyes. Charlie didn’t have a voice in the game, so I lent her mine and spoke in her place.
A familiar scent of juniper, lilac, and old books tickled my nose. At first, I thought I was simply so absorbed in the game that my scent memories were playing tricks on me—until I saw him out of the corner of my eye, pulling up a chair to sit beside me. I took off my headphones.
“Hey, Herrow.” I pointed to the screen. “I’m role-playing as one of your colleagues tonight.”
“I can see that.” The Reaper set his scythe down on the floor and made himself comfortable. “Enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, it’s fascinating to see how things are done in the U.S.—the options people have there compared to here in Sweden. Taking care of the body feels meaningful, and meeting the family members too. The embalming part, though, feels a bit…” I shrugged. “Everyone makes their own choices, of course, but filling the body with toxic chemicals before burial just doesn’t make sense to me.” Herrow nodded thoughtfully as he listened.
“Have you been tempted to change careers and apply for a job at a funeral home?”
I shook my head.
“No. I wouldn’t be comfortable with the business side of it. I understand they’re providing a service and need to be paid for their work, but… no. I’ll stay at Coffinfolk. Selling coffee and pastries is one thing—putting a price tag on a funeral ceremony is another.”
“Keep following your moral compass,” he said, resting a bony hand on my shoulder. “It hasn’t failed you yet.” I laced my fingers through his.
We kept playing together. I helped Charlie carry out her duties with care and dignity for the deceased. You couldn’t really fail in the game, of course—but it still felt right to take it seriously.
The story opened up so many thoughtful questions and perspectives—about the wishes of both the dead and the living—that I was glad to have someone to talk it through with. And if anyone knows how to see things from every angle, it’s Death himself.
When the final scene played, I completely lost it—laughing and sniffling into the Reaper’s robe as he held me. That soft, pitch-black fabric must have dried countless tears over Herrow’s existence. His quiet presence was exactly what I needed after such an emotional experience.
“Sounds like the game’s message hit home?” Herrow comforted, brushing a hand over my hair. I nodded, resting my forehead against his collarbone.
“Oh, definitely,” I sniffled with a giggle, straightening up. “Can we play again?”
“Of course. I’ve got a ‘Tales from the Crypt Sweeper’ high score to defend!” Herrow chuckled. I shot the Reaper a look and hit the 'Play' button.