If you loved
Departures
Yojiro Takita · Film · 2008
You were drawn to Departures because of the profound way it finds beauty, purpose, and reconciliation within the quiet, inevitable reality of death.
Books on the same thread
The Tenant
Freida McFadden · Book · 2025
Like the protagonist of Departures, you will find a jarring career pivot that forces a complete reconfiguration of identity and stability within a high-stakes, domestic environment.
After the Quake
Haruki Murakami · Book · 2002
If the meditative, culturally grounded approach to grief in Departures moved you, this collection offers a similarly poignant exploration of how individuals rebuild their lives after sudden tragedy.
Wifey 4 Life
Kiki Swinson · Book · 2010
This story echoes the way Departures uses the somber ritual of a funeral to trigger a life-altering journey, though it trades the quiet reflection for high-stakes urban suspense.
Me Before You
Jojo Moyes · Book · 2012
The tender, transformative relationship between a caregiver and a client in this book mirrors the emotional depth and life-affirming power found in the work of the undertaker in Departures.
Series on the same thread
Your Lie in April
Series · 2014
Just as the cello provided a bridge to healing in Departures, this series illustrates how artistic expression allows characters to process deep trauma and find personal redemption after loss.
Schitt's Creek
Eugene Levy · Series · 2015
This show shares the fish-out-of-water premise of Departures, capturing the awkward yet meaningful adjustment period that follows an abrupt shift from a professional life to a small-town reality.
Six Feet Under
Alan Ball · Series · 2001
Much like Departures, this series centers on the personal lives of those working in the funeral industry, exploring the intersection of mortality and the complexities of familial relationships.
Vagabond
Yoo In-sik · Series · 2019
While more action-oriented, this story begins with a sudden, tragic event that forces the protagonist to uncover hidden truths, echoing the life-changing catalyst found at the start of Departures.
Podcasts on the same thread
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
This podcast explores the intersection of tragedy and small-town life, providing a different, more comedic lens on the same themes of mortality and local culture explored in Departures.
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
This character study captures the same sense of small-town isolation and existential searching that defined the atmospheric, contemplative tone of the journey undertaken by the lead in Departures.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Departures about a professional musician?
Yes, the protagonist of Departures is a cellist. He loses his job when his orchestra is laid off, which prompts him to move back to his small hometown with his wife to seek more affordable living arrangements.
What kind of work does the main character find in Departures?
In Departures, the main character believes he is applying for a position at a travel agency. Instead, he discovers the job is actually for an undertaker’s assistant, which involves preparing bodies for their final departures.
Why does the protagonist of Departures move to a small town?
The main character moves to his small hometown in Departures because he is laid off from his orchestra. He and his wife relocate there specifically because the cost of living is cheaper than where they were previously residing.
Does Departures involve a career change for the main character?
Yes, Departures follows a cellist who undergoes a significant career change. After losing his orchestral position, he transitions from music into the role of an undertaker’s assistant, a job he initially mistakes for a travel agency position.