Death may be bleak but - rest in peace - there is nothing gloomy about this curious compendium of tales of the departed.

Here is a book that looks at the funny side of one of life's certainties (the other being taxes ... about which nothing is amusing). With advice on planning your big finish and how to attract the crowds at your funeral, as well as inspirational anecdotes involving extremely wealthy animals, no headstone is left unturned in the quest for hilarity. From funeral facts and famous last words, to musings on the afterlife, all that is witty and wry about kicking the bucket is presented here for your amusement. Just don't follow the example of the Greek philosopher Chrysippus ... who died laughing.