More people in their 20s and 30s are choosing to face their fear of death by participating in programs to experience what death is like. (image: HyowonLife)
SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — Public perceptions toward death are changing as more people are beginning to believe that well-dying is just as important as well-being.
More people in their 20s and 30s are choosing to face their fear of death by participating in programs to experience what death is like, and learn about various ways on how to prepare for their final moments.
A free ‘death experience program’ offered by a local funeral service provider has attracted more than 20,000 visitors. The participants write voluntary wills and climb into a coffin wearing a shroud.
More people are also making funeral portraits at studios specializing in that area.
The reason is simple: they want to experience what is like to prepare for their own death while using it as an opportunity to look back on their own lives.
These people share photos and posts about their death experience on social networks.
They share their thoughts about climbing into a coffin wearing a shroud, and the strange sensation they felt when writing their own will on social networks along with their funeral portraits.
Experts argue that the recent trend is a demonstration of South Korea’s societal preference towards this world.
“Our society tends to focus on the wealth, blessing, and pleasure offered by this world,” said Prof. Kim Yun-tae from Korea University.
“They want to live out their lives rationally without making it an inconvenience for their families.”
More people are beginning to discuss the concept of ‘well-dying,’ which refers to the act of living out the remainder of one’s life with meaning and value.
The Civil Movement for Well-Dying, a South Korean civic group established last year, promotes well-dying practices by helping with writing a will, encouraging postmortem donations, improving funeral practices, and writing ending notes.
“For a beautiful way to end one’s life, people should begin to learn about death at middle and high school,” said Prof. Yu Eun-sil from Asan Medical Center.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
