Atlanta funeral home to host comedy show about loss, grief Sept. 21

ATLANTA, GA — An Atlanta funeral home will present NYC comic Ben Wasserman and his solo comedy show, “Live After Death,” about loss and grief, Thursday, Sept. 21. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts 7:30 p.m.

Wasserman is hosted by Fischer Funeral Care, 3742 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30341.

Atlanta funnyman David Perdue will open the show. Tickets are $15, available at www.liveafterdeathshow.com.

Wasserman is one of Paste Magazine’s "10 Comedians Who Make Grief Funny." In “Live After Death,” he blends comedy, clowning and crowd work as he leads the audience on a hilarious yet moving journey through grief — honoring and celebrating those who have been lost.

Since beginning early 2022, the show has attracted sold-out audiences at funeral homes, cemeteries and other places associated with death and dying.

“We usually only enter a funeral home to honor our dead and contemplate ‘the end,’” Wasserman said. “What if instead we refamiliarize ourselves with these types of institutions as spaces where we not only honor and celebrate our past loved ones, but also honor and celebrate our own lives, individually and in community together? Places where we can talk about the one thing true to us all, that we all live and die, and lose and keep living. That’s what I want this show to provide.”

Fischer Funeral Care Manager Robbie Rosier said, “’Live After Death’ is an extension of what we do every day — help families celebrate loved ones. Ben’s focus is on the fun that the departed-loved ones have brought into our lives. He reminds the audience of the good. Saying these things out loud can be cathartic.

“Ben is an up-and-coming comedic talent whose fun show is based on not taking life so seriously.”

Wasserman created the show after the loss of seven loved ones over three years — three relatives, including his dad, and four friends. It has been featured by The New York Times, VICE, Huffington Post, The Guardian, Philadelphia Weekly, Brooklyn Magazine, The Boston Globe, Time Out NY, Chicago Reader, The Toledo Blade and Pittsburgh Union Progress, among other media, and by organizations that support grievers, such as The Dinner Party and The Order of Good Death. A 20-minute interview on Michigan Radio (NPR, BBC, APM affiliate) is at this link starting at 12:25: https://bit.ly/MiRadio-Ben.

“Expect vulnerable conversation, juggling, a seance, dancing — it’s part catharsis, part circus … total chaos,” Wasserman said. “The show has been particularly resonant with audiences in the context of a pandemic where millions have been forced to experience loss and to grieve.”

The Atlanta show is the second of a 16-city national tour he named “The Last Tour.” The final performance of “Live After Death” will be the tour’s concluding Oct. 26 show in Brooklyn, New York. For Wasserman, it’s time to move his life on.

Comedian David Perdue is also an actor and has hosted several podcasts. He has appeared on Comedy Central, Fuse TV, EPIX (now MGM+) and Kevin Hart’s LOL Network.

About Fischer Funeral Care and Cremation Services: Founded in 2004, the owners of Fischer Funeral Care provide 24/7 compassion, personable assistance for every aspect of every funeral — arrangements from transport to the funeral itself. They help families understand all options: traditional burial, cremation and memorial services. On-premises chapel services are offered at Fischer’s quaint facility, built as a residence in the 1940s, as well as visitations at other locations. They also honor pre-paid and pre-arranged funeral cremation services contracted with other funeral homes. More information is as www.fischerperimeterchapel.com or call 678.514.1000.

About Ben Wasserman: Based in New York City, Wasserman has appeared in the New York Comedy Festival, NY/Philly/Burlington Fringe Festivals and Brooklyn Comedy Festival. A few years ago, he painted with his butt on MTV. More information is at www.BenWassermanComedy.com, X @benwassertweet, and Instagram @benwassergram.