A Mortician's Tale
Review

A Mortician's Tale (2017) is a management game where you play as a mortician, Charlie, working in a funeral home. As you play, you handle bodies of the deceased, including cleaning and beautifying them, as well as dealing with embalming and cremation. The dead bodies are displayed, but the art style is not too graphic.

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.

While part of the game is meant as a critical look at the funeral industry, it is "death positive" and there is a personal element to the game too. There is an honest and respectful look at how bodies are treated after death, which can demystify the process. The player also attends funerals and speaks to bereaved friends and family, and can lend a shoulder to lean on. Played with adult guidance, this game can help normalise death customs.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked A Mortician's Tale 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 23 months ago.