In Mary Roach's book "Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife," she explores various phenomena related to death and the afterlife, examining both scientific and cultural perspectives. One intriguing detail she shares is a specific ritual involving newly deceased popes, who are traditionally struck three times on the forehead with a special silver hammer. This unique practice symbolizes the finality of their earthly authority and serves as a poignant farewell from the living to the departed. Roach's writing blends humor and insight, prompting readers to contemplate the implications of such rituals. By highlighting these unusual practices, she encourages a deeper understanding of how different cultures deal with death and the afterlife, ultimately challenging the notion of what happens after we die.

In Mary Roach's book "Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife," she explores various phenomena related to death and the afterlife, examining both scientific and cultural perspectives. One intriguing detail she shares is a specific ritual involving newly deceased popes, who are traditionally struck three times on the forehead with a special silver hammer. This unique practice symbolizes the finality of their earthly authority and serves as a poignant farewell from the living to the departed.

Roach's writing blends humor and insight, prompting readers to contemplate the implications of such rituals. By highlighting these unusual practices, she encourages a deeper understanding of how different cultures deal with death and the afterlife, ultimately challenging the notion of what happens after we die.