In Korea, there is a trend to experience a “well death”. At some universities, students experience a mock funeral by reading their wills and then are placed in coffins that are closed and sprinkled with dirt. 15 minutes later, they are opened and “reborn”. The thought is that you will then experience life on a different level. In order to live well, you must die well.
While I can see the logic behind it, I’m not sure we need to go to exactly those extremes. Ideally, we should all live each day as if it were our last. None of us wants to reach the end of our lives and have regrets. But climb in a coffin?
When I worked in hospice, one of the things I did with staff and volunteers was a guided meditation in which they experienced their own death. The first time I did it, I was struck at how different I thought it would be. It was certainly an eye opening and life changing exercise for me and many of the participants. Something similar can be done can be done, which will most likely be as effective as climbing into a coffin.
Before doing all this though…why not start thinking about your life and what you want to accomplish before you die. Start making a list and check off each item. Live your life in a way you will not have any regrets. On the other hand, if you’d like to have a mock funeral & burial, I’m sure that can be arranged.
What do you think?
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