Discover the growing trend towards living funerals

Although funerals are traditionally a way of honouring and saying farewell to a deceased person, more and more people want to experience their own funeral during their life.

Is this being extravagant or capricious? The truth is that living funerals are much more than this, as they allow the protagonists to witness the affection and fond farewells of friends and family, creating a unique moment that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

What is a living funeral?

A living funeral is a ceremony organised by someone who wants to witness their own funeral before they pass away. This practice, which has gained popularity in Asian countries and is becoming increasingly popular in Europe, offers the opportunity to celebrate a person's life and share memories and messages before they have passed away, an experience that is totally new and enriching.

Attendees can express their feelings and show their appreciation to the person who is not yet deceased, providing wonderful feelings for both the recipient and their loved ones.

During the ceremony, there may be speeches, music, videos and other displays of affection that commemorate the life of the person who has not yet passed away.

Reasons to have a living funeral

There are a number of reasons why a living funeral is becoming an increasingly popular option for many people. Here are some of the main ones.

• It allows the recipient and their loved ones to gain emotional closure, a feeling that helps them to better process the idea of death.

• A living funeral is a perfect excuse to celebrate a person's life and achievements while they are alive and, more importantly, to celebrate it with them.

• The living funeral organiser can plan every detail, ensuring that everything is done according to their wishes.

• It provides the opportunity for fond memories to be shared later at a real funeral.

All in all, living funerals are redefining the way people say goodbye and celebrate life. Despite their name, they should be perceived as a cause for joy!

Living funerals: a growing global trend

While living funerals may have been seen as an extravagance at first, more and more people are choosing to celebrate this type of ceremony in the company of the people they love the most. Being able to experience your own funeral and hear the tributes and send-offs of your family and friends is an enriching experience that allows you to see the rest of your life in a very different light. Consequently, this phenomenon is gaining popularity in many cultures around the world!

The Seizenso trend: living funerals in Japan

In Japan, living funerals are known as ‘Seizenso’, which means ‘funeral while you are alive’. Thanks to them, people can reflect on their lives and prepare for death in a much more conscious way. After all, it is a journey that we all have to make and that we do not always approach with the necessary peace of mind.

The first popular Seizenso in Japan was that of the Japanese actress and singer Mizunoe Takiko in 1993. Her ceremony was broadcast on television and inspired many others to follow her example. In cases such as those of terminally ill patients, it also helps to eliminate taboos, allowing you to say goodbye to your loved one with joy, peace and tranquillity.

Living funerals in other countries

In addition to Japan, living funerals have become very popular in countries such as South Korea and the United Kingdom.

• In the Asian country, a living funeral has been serving as a natural deterrent to high suicide rates. Participants can step into coffins, an experience that helps them reflect on the meaning of life and learn to value it.

• As for the UK, which is much closer culturally to Spain, living funerals are beginning to take place in hospices, allowing patients to hear words of support and affection from their loved ones before they die.

How to plan a living funeral: advice and suggestions

Organising a living funeral may seem like a complicated, even macabre task to some extent, but it is actually much simpler and more natural than it sounds. Just follow the following tips and advice.

1. Decide what kind of ceremony you want and what activities to include in it so that it reflects the personality and life of the recipient.

2. Choose a venue that holds special meaning and has enough space for guests to be comfortable.

3. Create a guest list of close friends, family and colleagues - the people who cannot possibly be absent from an event like this.

4. Prepare a programme for the ceremony, including who will give the speeches, what music will be played and at what time, as well as any activities that will take place. It is also a good idea to leave some room for improvisation so that guests can express their emotions freely.

5. Include personal touches such as photos, videos and shared memories that tell the story of the protagonist's life.

6. Use a funeral company with experience in planning a living funeral to arrange for such things as decorations, catering and audio-visual equipment.

As mentioned previously, planning a living funeral is much more than a passing trend or a way of attracting attention. It is a beautiful experience and a unique opportunity to bring together all the people important to someone and celebrate life with them.