Thomas Lynch isn’t afraid of dying.

In fact, he will speak about death at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium.

“The topics that Thomas will discuss are relevant to all of us,” said Merlyn Mowrey, associate professor of religion and philosophy. “He is able to bring humor and compassion into the sensitive discussion of death.”

Lynch grew up in a family of undertakers and now runs Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors in Milford. The business is one of six funeral homes Lynch owns in Michigan.

Mowrey helped bring Lynch to campus.

Lynch also is an author and poet who focuses on the topic of America’s relationship with death.

Lynch compares death and dying to a toilet which moves unpleasant things out of our lives in a chapter titled “Crapper” from his latest book, “The Undertaking: Life Studies from the Dismal Trade.”

Lynch also was a consultant for the HBO series “Six Feet Under.”

Mowrey said this is not Lynch’s first visit to CMU. She said he has developed a following from his previous visits.

“I always schedule a visit for Lynch after Thanksgiving Break,” Mowrey said. “Every year around this time I have people phoning and asking, ‘when is Thomas Lynch coming?’”

This will be Owen Starlin’s first time seeing Lynch.

The Pittsford sophomore is in Mowrey’s REL 334: Death and Dying course. Lynch will visit the class Tuesday morning before his speech that evening.

“I have already read one of his books,” Starlin said. “I am interested in hearing him speak because I like how he takes the topic of death and makes it humorous and approachable.”

Trenton sophomore Becca Thompson said attending Lynch’s speech is not for her.

“It sounds like he takes a good approach to death,” Thompson said. “But I wouldn’t go see him just for fun.”

To learn more about Lynch, visit his Web site at thomaslynch.com.

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