Article Summary:
In this opinion piece, Daniel Pink explores the emerging trend of “living funerals” or “living celebrations,” focusing on the story of Richard Hanneman, who organized and attended his own funeral in August 2021 after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
Hanneman planned two events: a casual farewell gathering and a more formal funeral ceremony. At both events, he was present, speaking to friends and family, reflecting on his life, and expressing gratitude. This approach represents a growing trend of personalizing end-of-life rituals, moving away from traditional, somber funeral practices.
The shift is attributed to several factors, including declining religious affiliations, increased cremation rates, and a desire for more individualized experiences. Experts like Kate Woodthorpe from the Centre for Death and Society suggest that living celebrations can provide social cohesion and allow the dying person to maintain control during their final days.
The article suggests that reimagining funeral practices can transform our relationship with death, turning it from a taboo subject into an opportunity for celebration and connection.
Article Excerpt:
Human beings have been constructing rituals around death for at least 100,000 years, according to archaeologists. Whether those customs involve intricate rites and elaborate offerings or simple words and somber clothing, they help us mark a moment and find meaning in pain. The rituals are often rooted in religion. Catholics hold wakes. Muslims perform the Salat al-Janazah. Jews sit shiva. Sometimes the deceased’s body is present. But almost by definition, the living person is not.
Yet in some corners of the world, that has been changing. “Living celebrations” (sometimes called “living funerals” or “pre-funerals”) began slowly wading into the mainstream in 1990s Japan, where the practice is known as seizenso. Versions have sprouted in South Korea as a way to help people reckon with their mortality and learn the principles of “dying well.”