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Review of The Deaths of the Popes: Comprehensive Accounts Including Funerals, Burial Places, and Epitaphs from ARBA (American Reference Books Annual) online, volume 36.
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1267. Reardon, Wendy J. The Deaths of the Popes: Comprehensive Accounts, Including Funerals, Burial Places, and Epitaphs. Jefferson, NC., McFarland, 2004. 310p. illus.index. $65. ISBN 0-7864-1527-4

Papal historian Wendy J. Reardon provides a reader-friendly account on the customs and legalisms associated with the death and burial of a pope in the Roman Catholic tradition. Gleaning from the works of H.K. Mann, Iiro Kajanto, Richard P. McBrien, J.N.D. Kelley, R. Montini, and a host of other sources, the author references information on the deaths, funerals, burial places, and available epitaphs accompanied by the English translation of each pope and antipope from the Apostle Peter (death in C.E. 67) to John Paul I (death in 1978). Entries range in length from a paragraph to a few pages and many contain suggestions for further reading. Noteworthy is the acknowledgement of conspiracy, intrigue, and folk legend surrounding the death and burial of a number of popes. The introduction provides a short historical overview on the evolutionary rite of papal burial and there are nine appendixes, including a papal death, burial, and reburial chart and a papal document, written by Pope John Paul II, concerning the vacancy of the Apostolic See and the election of a new pope. Finally select drawings and photographs enhance the accessibility of the fine reference work.—Zev Garber