Appalachian Son: Death Education through Humor
Courtesy of Michael Story
In the heart of Appalachia, amidst the majestic mountains and rich cultural heritage, resides Michael Story, a comedian and former mortuary worker. With a unique blend of humor and a deep connection to his Appalachian roots, Story has embarked on a mission to educate people about death while preserving the cultural and historical essence of Appalachia. From his humble beginnings in Lenoir, North Carolina, to his online persona as the Appalachian Son, Story's creative endeavors are aimed at bringing laughter, understanding, and appreciation for the region he proudly calls home.
Raised in the mountains of NC, Story hails from a long line of military servicemen. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, he served in the military, where he found his calling in funeral service after being tasked to do funeral guard. After being laid off from a funeral home in 2020, Story started the Mountain Mortuary, an online fictional funeral home where he humorously educates people about death, leveraging the deep connection Appalachians have with this inevitable part of life. Story mentions, “I think the Appalachian aspect made it a little extra special since folks from the mountains are very in touch with death.”
Story's unique approach lies in his ability to use humor to navigate sensitive topics. By combining his comedic talent with his in-depth knowledge of funeral service, he creates engaging content that not only entertains but also enlightens viewers. He describes his mission as “death education through humor.” With Appalachia's distinct cultural background and the region's close relationship with death, Story's content strikes a chord with his audience, encouraging conversations about funeral preferences and cultural practices.
Describing himself as an artist rather than just a comedian or musician, Story's creativity knows no bounds. Although he is primarily known for his mortuary skits on Mountain Mortuary, he is also a barber, songwriter, storyteller, and content creator. He seamlessly weaves various mediums together to deliver his message, whether it be through music, comedy, or in-depth research on Appalachian life. Story's versatility and dedication to his craft are evident in the heartfelt and educational content he shares with his growing audience. Story got into content creation in high school. “I've always tried to, uh, challenge myself every summer and learn something new,” And so when tasked to create a video, write a poem, or another creative project by an English teacher, he borrowed his grandfather’s video camera and got to work.
“The teacher called me over and said that, uh, it had absolutely nothing to do with the topic, but that was going to pass because it was so funny that he, you know, he would feel bad if he had failed me for not doing what I was supposed to do.”
His rise to popularity on Youtube was sparked by a project assigned in mortuary school. “I did a project where I talked about Conway Twitty. His cause of death, the country music singer. I have no idea why Conway Twitty, but I posted the video on YouTube and I looked back a few weeks later and it had some hundreds of thousands of views.” He then began focusing his content on the untimely deaths of musicians, eventually branching out into his current content.
For Story, preserving the beauty and cultural heritage of Appalachia is of utmost importance. Appalachia stands as the oldest and most biologically diverse mountain range on Earth, possessing a unique and unspoken majesty, and the culture throughout the range has a similarly storied history, especially with death. Despite stereotypes and misconceptions that have plagued the region for centuries, Story believes in showcasing the true essence of Appalachia through his work. Through his content, he aims to raise awareness about the region's ecological significance and the need to protect its natural resources from encroaching developments.
Story's content not only highlights the ecological importance of Appalachia but also emphasizes the significance of preserving its cultural heritage. With a deep appreciation for the region's rich history, he recognizes the importance of standing up for Appalachia's humble and often overlooked people. By sharing stories and showcasing the cultural traditions and musical heritage that have shaped Appalachia, Story hopes to instill a sense of pride and recognition within the community.
You can find Michael Story on his Youtube channel, or on his website.
Courtesy of Michael Story
