Charter Books, in Newport, R.I., is welcoming community members to rent the bookstore space outside of business hours as a venue for wakes and other funerary services. The program--"Your Epilogue, Your Way"--offers the use of either the upper or lower level of the multi-floor bookshop for gatherings related to the death of a loved one.
An informational page on the company's website notes: "In life, as in books, we know that one day we will have to turn the final page. What more fitting place to end your story than at Charter Books!" Available services run from basic use of the space to gather and share stories to more elaborate celebrations of life and readership, such as the creation of a customized casket plinth supported by the stacks of your TBR.
Owner Steve Iwanksi shared that while the original notion came from a customer request, his inspiration to formalize the program came from Shelf Awareness. "I mean, it seems like every week we read about another bookstore hosting an engagement, or renting their space for weddings; this really feels like a no-brainer!"
Embalming and other body-preparation rites are not currently offered by the bookstore's small staff, but Iwanski is open to expanding. "Never say never! It all comes down to what our community needs of us as a third space."
Senior bookseller Sydney admitted that she was hesitant when the idea was first raised. "But, you know, this time of year we're always joking that it's dead in here anyway," she said. "And when we hosted the first one, for [frequent customer] Bob, turnout was better than we get for a lot of authors! Plus, I thought the 'Make Your Own Prayer Card/Bookmark' station was a really sweet touch."
Iwanksi is optimistic about the program's success. "We've already had a lot of community interest, but what we really want people to take away from this service is that even if you're late, it's never too late to share your love of reading." --Amy Van Keuren, Charter Books