1. Have you read the first book featuring Jennifer Graham, Doesn’t She Look Natural? How has she changed since her early days at Fairlawn?

2. What are some of the major themes of this novel? Did any of the themes particularly resonate with you?

3. How important is Mt. Dora as a setting in this story? Does it seem like the sort of town you might enjoy visiting?

4. Does Jen’s description of the embalming process make the death industry less mysterious for you? Did you learn anything that might prove useful when and if you need to deal with a mortuary?

5. Do you think Jen made the right decision when McLane asked her for a ride to the abortion clinic? What would you have done? Why?

6. Jennifer says McLane and Jeff are “erasing the lines” between black and white as well as the prejudices of her past. How did the following section of Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia “erase the lines” of his day: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28)?

7. Read the last stanza of “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant (chapter thirty-seven). Why do you think Jen’s English teacher had students memorize those lines? Do you find its message comforting?

8. Could you identify with any of the characters in this story? Which character is most like you? Which do you most admire?

9. Consider the character of Randolph Harris. Do you think he really loves McLane? Do you think he really loved God? Why did he refuse to join the mourners at the graveside? Will he ever change? Why or why not?

10. Have you stopped to consider that Paul (who prayed for deliverance from “thorn in my flesh”) and Jesus (who prayed that the “cup of suffering” would pass from him) experienced unanswered prayers? (See 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 and Matthew 26:39.) How were they able to accept these situations without becoming bitter or depressed?

11. Have you looked at the sample photographs found at www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org? How do you think these keepsakes would comfort a young couple who has lost an infant?

12. McLane and Jeff do not suffer from prejudice, but others in the story do. Jen says she found traces of racism in her own heart. What can we do to eradicate racist attitudes we may have somehow picked up?