Mon, Nov 02, 2009 page2

• FEATURE: Living funerals help the terminally ill

  SAYING GOODBYE A 'living funeral' can take the form of a concert, a trip or a painting exhibition, whatever is meaningful for the person who knows death is close-by

  • AFP
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  The eulogies, the songs, the crying and the hugging all make David Tseng’s funeral virtually indistinguishable from any other such rite — except he is still alive.

  Tseng is only 25, but he is wheelchair-bound and in the terminal stage of a genetic muscular disease that has paralyzed him since childhood, with no known cure.

  “I don’t know how many days I have left so I want to hold a ‘living funeral’ for myself, to announce my last wish of donating my body for medical studies,” Tseng said.

  

  David Tseng, who suffers from a genetic muscular disease, speaks at his “memorial service” in the auditorium of a medical school in Kaohsiung on Sept. 25.

  PHOTO: AFP

  In Taiwan, “living funerals” have been embraced by a growing number of people with terminal diseases.

  Tseng, a native of Kaohsiung, bade farewell to his family and a group of about 100 doctors and students late in September at a local medical school which will receive his body when the day comes.

  “I may not live a long life, but I have the company of my family and many people who care for me. I finished college and wrote a book ... I didn’t live in vain,” Tseng told the audience as his mother wiped away her tears. “I think what matters in life is its value, not how long it is, so we should cherish the time we have and do something good,” he said.

  Catholic Cardinal Paul Shan (單國璽), 85, is among prominent local figures who have thrown their weight behind the concept. He launched a “goodbye tour” in late 2007 with a series of speeches to share his fight against lung cancer.

  “We hope to encourage the ill not to fear death and help them bid proper farewells to their loved ones,” said Chou Chin-huar (周進華), head of cancer charity the Chou Ta-Kuan Foundation, which promotes the practice.

  A “living funeral” can take the form of a speech, a concert, a trip or a painting exhibition which is meaningful for the person who knows death is approaching, he said, adding some do not plan conventional funerals afterwards.

  “They can say aloud the things they want others to know and fulfill their last wishes before it’s too late,” Chou said. “Hearing the eulogies while they are still alive can help them face the final stage with ease.”

  Tseng’s father agreed, saying the young man’s spirits were lifted after the ritual.

  “The response was overwhelming. So many people phoned to encourage David or came to visit him when they heard about it. This gives him more courage and faith,” Sam Tseng said.

  The practice reflects growing openness toward the subject of death in a society that has gone from traditional agrarian values to full-blown modernization in just two generations.

  In the past, even mentioning the word “death” was believed to bring bad luck and preparing one’s own funeral while still alive was a major taboo.

  “Nowadays, more people are willing to discuss death, make their wills and plan their funerals ahead,” said Yang Kuo-chu (楊國柱), a professor at the Department of Life and Death Studies at Nanhua University.

  He attributed the change in attitude to thanatology, or the study of death, being more commonly taught in schools, while the government has been promoting forward planning to reduce inheritance disputes.

  “The ‘living funeral’ has some positive effects of comforting the sick and overcoming the death taboo,” Yang said. “I don’t think it can replace a conventional funeral, but it might if our customs, cultural and religious perspectives are completely altered one day.”

  Tseng, who is down to only 23kg and bedridden, relying on oxygen as his condition worsens, said he is prepared for the final moment.

  “I have no regrets now. I am ready to face death at anytime,” he said. “I want my family to hold a cocktail party to celebrate my departure instead of mourning after I’m gone.”
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