Handbook For The Recently Deceased
“Handbook For The Recently Deceased by DS&Durga is a fragrance for women and men”
The Quick Read
Still under the radar — a woody, amber composition with a smoky undertone. Voted best for fall and winter wear — and genuinely unisex.
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Handbook For The Recently Deceased by DS&Durga, launched in 2021 and crafted by perfumer David Seth Moltz, is an enigmatic olfactory experience that balances smoky incense with earthy woods and warm spices. It opens with the striking contrast of chalk and paper, evoking a sense of quiet contemplation before diving into the rich layers of beeswax, patchouli, and artemisia. The composition melds these elements into an almost sacred blend, creating a space that feels both intimate and expansive.
Composition & Character
How It Wears
Application Tips
Apply this fragrance in thin layers to allow its complex notes to unfold gradually. The smoky incense top notes dissipate quickly, revealing the deeper woody and balsamic heart after about an hour. It reads best close to skin rather than across a room.
David Seth Moltz
Founding perfumer · 109 fragrances
Designer DS&Durga
More from DS&Durga
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
The hushed quiet of a library at midnight, where the scent of old books and beeswax candles fills the air.
Fig. 01 — Handbook For The Recently Deceased, DS&Durga
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