Forensic Counsellor, John Merrick spent 20 years in what he describes as ‘a very unusual environment’ – the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Office of the State Coroner in Glebe, Sydney – more commonly known as the ‘city morgue’.

What’s it like to work in a morgue? This book describes, first hand, coping with mutilated or decomposed bodies and the carnage of large-scale disasters like the Bali bombings. Equally as traumatic, the suicides, accidental drownings, car accidents and murders.

But forensic counsellors do much more, witnessing autopsies, attending crime scenes and coronial enquiries. It’s all in a day’s work. Find out what it’s like behind the scenes.

Those working at the morgue come face to face with death on a daily basis, and forensic counsellors like John have to find the compassion and kindness to ease the grief of those left behind.