Exploring the rich cultural tradition of New Orleans jazz funerals, Leo Touchet’s Rejoice When You Die: The New Orleans Jazz Funerals captures the vibrant intersection of music, ritual, and communal celebration surrounding death. The photographs document dynamic funeral processions where joyous brass bands accompany mourners, blending themes of grief and festivity within a unique visual narrative.

The images reveal nuanced moments of both solemnity and rejoicing, reflecting the complex emotional fabric of the events. Touchet’s work highlights the interplay between music, spirituality, and local custom, portraying a living tradition that transforms loss into a public, cathartic experience. The book spans 152 pages and was published by Louisiana State University Press in 1998.