Michelle在离世前十天举办了自己的生前告别仪式，该视频在YouTube上获得了超过四百万的观看次数。
如果有机会参加自己的告别仪式，您愿意吗？随着人们对死亡和临终话题的开放态度逐渐增强，生前告别仪式的理念近年来也逐渐被更多人接受。2024年初，本地数字频道《我们的祖父故事》记录了末期病患Michelle “Mike” Ng的生前告别仪式，她希望在生命的最后时刻与亲人共度。那场仪式既美丽又感人至深。
什么是生前告别仪式？
生前告别仪式是指在当事人尚在人世时，由亲友共同为其举办的纪念活动。通常由临终者举办（如Michelle的例子），作为一场有意义的告别。然而，在韩国，人们认为生前告别仪式是一种帮助他们更好生活的方式——当你意识到死亡的存在，生命便获得新的意义。有些人更愿意称之为生命庆典或生前致敬。
生前告别仪式让亲人们齐聚一堂，共同庆祝一段精彩的人生。
为何考虑举办生前告别仪式？
如前所述，即使是身体健康、未患重病的人，也能从生前告别仪式中获益。这些仪式为个人提供了一个深刻且真实的平台，反思生命旅程，重新思考如何度过剩余的时光。1993年，日本著名艺人水野敬子便举办了自己的生前告别仪式。78岁且身体健康的她，在仪式后对朋友们说：“你们也应该经历一次死亡；死亡后的清晨是如此美丽！”1
值得注意的是，生前告别仪式还赋予个人自主权，决定如何纪念自己的生命。无论是场地还是主题，人们都可以选择最符合自己风格和喜好的方式。
生前告别仪式最大的魅力之一，是让主办者能够将重要的家人和朋友聚集在一起，提供一个机会彼此道别、修复关系，并表达爱与感激。适当的告别对面临离世的人意义重大，帮助他们以平和的心境走向生命的下一程。对于来宾而言，这样的活动也能为他们提供一个温馨的空间，帮助他们处理哀伤及其他沉重情绪。
生前告别仪式的筹备步骤
Depending on the kind of ceremony you are looking for, the funeral planning can vary from one living funeral to another. But in general, here are some things to consider:
Venue: Unlike conventional funerals that are usually held at void decks, funeral parlours, or religious locations, you can choose to hold a living funeral practically anywhere. For instance, at your home, on the beach, in a hotel function room, or at your favourite café.
Food: What’s a celebration without some good food? Would you prefer to provide proper sit-down meals or just some light bites to keep it simple?
Music: What kind of music do you like? You could even incorporate a karaoke singing session to liven up the mood.
Decorations: Flowers lend a warm, natural touch and can enhance the overall aesthetic of the event venue. Balloons are party favourites and brighten any celebration. A K-pop fan? Adorn the space with photographs of your beloved singer.
Activities: Think of the activities that you’d like to do with your guests. For example, if you’ve always enjoyed planting, you might like the idea of a terrarium-making workshop. Guests can take home their terrariums, which will remind them of you and this serene moment you spent together.
Memorialise the event: We recommend hiring a photographer and/or videographer to capture the significant occasion. This way, friends and family can revisit the memories over and over again. On the same note, you might also want to include a memory table where old photographs and mementoes are displayed. You and your guests will enjoy reminiscing about the past—funny incidents, unforgettable holidays, and all the milestones that have shaped you.
Invitation list: Here’s your chance to gather all the people who matter to you. They could be your closest family members, childhood friends, colleagues who have helped you along the way, and those whom you long to reconnect with.
There really are no limitations to what your living funeral can be. It is, above all, a celebration of your life and it can be as unique as you like.
1 《与自己温柔告别：水野敬子生前告别仪式》作者：莫良（详见 《与水江泷子的告别式：致自己的温柔告别》）
