Funeral Begins with Fun!

”… a fantastic memoir, written in a conversational style that is wholly unique… . Thompson’s totally approachable and friendly voice and clear prose are a sure-fire win for readers to appreciate both the lighter and practical sides of funeral directing, making it an enjoyable and heartening read.”

-Asher Syed, for Readers’ Favorite

“Martin Thompson’s storytelling is engaging and often laugh-out-loud funny. … a delightful memoir that blends humor, history, and humanity. [His] ability to turn life’s most serious moments into opportunities for connection and laughter makes this book a truly memorable read. I highly recommend it.”

-Carol Thompson, for Readers’ Favorite

“Funeral Begins with Fun! builds on its catchy title and delivers an unexpectedly humorous account of a normally serious topic… . an entertaining and insightful look into a career that went far beyond interacting with the families of the deceased … a warm, uplifting, and amusing tale of a life lived to the full.”

-Leonard Smuts, for Readers’ Favorite

Martin Thompson was born on April Fools’ Day in Fort Worth, Texas. Raised in a bustling Catholic family, Martin found his way into funeral service early, helping his father at Harveson & Cole Funeral Home and leading backyard funerals for every bird, squirrel, and pet within six city blocks.

Over the course of nearly fifty years, Martin built a career as a respected funeral director, mentor, and business owner, founding Martin Thompson Funeral Home in Grapevine, Lucas & Thompson Funeral Home in Keller, and Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home in Fort Worth, and later returning to steward the historic Thompson’s Harveson & Cole.

Martin’s life outside of funeral service is equally rich: a lifelong golfer, a proud Eagle Scout, a loyal friend, a spirited storyteller, and-above all-a devoted husband to his wife Janice, and a proud father to his son Jon.

Martin’s writing is a tribute to the families he served, the friends he traveled with, and the wild, wonderful journey that turned a kid from Fort Worth into a keeper of life’s most precious stories.

Today, Martin can usually be found swapping stories over coffee or an adult beverage, cheering for the TCU Horned Frogs and Texas Longhorns, chasing the perfect golf swing, or simply appreciating the rich, unpredictable humor of life, one chapter at a time.

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