'The pleasures of the cemetery ... here a thrilling note is struck. out comes pouring from the great black cornucopia of Victorian agony the horrific paraphernalia of pompes funèbres, presented in The Victorian Celebration of Death as well ordered as any sumptuous funeral. This well-researched book...describes some associated delights ... Mr Curl’s taste for the eerie flows beneath a level literary style. His literary personality is modest and unobtrusive, as befits his subject.'

'... most entertaining and enterprising - a book finely produced, moreover, with a mass of apt and enlightening illustrations...In these days of chronic over-production one cannot often say that a book fills a genuine gap, but in this case it is true. Curl ... has much to say of interest, and has rescued so much absorbing information from oblivion... that I can only recommend you to acquire his book; it is entirely delightful.'

'Cemeteries have a history that is worth writing ... Curl has been the first to put it into a readable, well-informed, and moderately priced book.'