As I sit here, right this very moment, next to my 83 year old Mum, I’m thinking about death. To be honest, I’m thinking about death and dying probably more than most.
Death interests me and I think we, as Australians, deal with it very poorly. I’m on a bit of a quest to make this part of life just a little more manageable and easier to navigate.
I have interviewed people from all walks of life to understand how they view death, what they know about the process and what plans they have put in place for their inevitable end.
I’m currently reading MORTALS by Rachel Menzies and Ross Menzies.
Mortals, focuses on death anxieties and examines all the major human responses to death across history. From the dawn of religious beliefs that challenge the idea of death as the ultimate end, to ambitious "immortality projects" expressed through timeless art, majestic architecture, and enduring literature, our fear of mortality has shaped both magnificent and devastating outcomes. While some manifestations of this fear have inspired breathtaking achievements, others have fueled destructive impulses, sparking conflicts and even genocides on a global scale.
Around the world death is a singular commonality, it will happen for us all. However the difference in the cultural and societal approaches to death are so vast and varied.
Here's a brief overview of some death traditions and celebrations from various cultures around the world:
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) - This Mexican holiday celebrates deceased loved ones. Families create altars with offerings such as food, drinks, and photos of the departed. It's a colorful and festive occasion where people remember and honor their ancestors.
Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day) - Celebrated in China, this festival honors ancestors by visiting their graves, cleaning the tombstones, and making offerings of food and burning incense. It's also a time for family gatherings and outdoor activities.
Obon Festival - Observed in Japan, Obon is a Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of ancestors. Families clean graves, light lanterns, and perform traditional dances called Bon Odori. It's believed that during this time, the spirits of the deceased return to visit their families.
All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day - Celebrated in many Christian communities, All Saints' Day (November 1st) honors all saints, while All Souls' Day (November 2nd) commemorates all the faithful departed. It's a time for prayer, visiting cemeteries, and remembering loved ones who have passed away.
Samhain - Originating from Celtic traditions, Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It's believed to be a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest, allowing spirits to return to the earth. Modern-day Halloween has its roots in Samhain.
Gai Jatra - Observed in Nepal, Gai Jatra is a festival to honor deceased family members. Families who have lost loved ones during the year parade through the streets, often with a cow (considered sacred), to help guide the souls of the departed to heaven.
Tibetan Sky Burial - In Tibetan Buddhism, bodies are traditionally disposed of through sky burial. The deceased is taken to a designated location, where their body is ritually dismembered and left for vultures to consume. It's believed to facilitate the soul's journey to the afterlife.
Personally, I'm a big fan of a party (handling body parts, not so much) and some of the best parties I've had have been in Mexico, so the Day of Dead really speaks to me.
These are just a few examples, and there are loads more other death traditions and celebrations practiced around the world.
I like the idea of a celebration at the end of one’s life, rather than the mourning and the sadness. As I watch my dear Mum fading away in front of me, I am thinking about all the wonderful things she has done and the amazing person that she has been. I think about my childhood and the parties we used to throw, with dancing and wine and great friends and great loves and laughs. I want to say goodbye to her the way she lived, not the way she died. I think I would like to say farewell to the world in the same way, when my time comes.
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