People Who Reject 'Cookie-Cutter' Funerals

Mourning halls crowded with chrysanthemums, wreaths, and visitors, and hosting guests throughout the night. South Korea's funeral culture, long taken for granted, is changing. Recently, "no-parlor funerals"—where families bid farewell to the deceased in private without sending out obituaries or setting up a mourning hall—have been rapidly increasing. According to funeral directors, no-parlor funerals, which accounted for only about 1% of all funerals five years ago, reached nearly 20% last year. Why are people moving away from the familiar three-day funeral and choosing a new way to say goodbye?
  In March of this year, Cho Ho-jin, who lost his mother, chose a no-parlor funeral to honor her wishes not to "bother people." The funeral cost a mere 275,000 won. He says that rather than the cost savings, the greatest comfort was not burdening acquaintances and being able to share their grief solely among family members. Ko Young-ran, who had previously held a traditional three-day funeral for another family member, recalled being overwhelmed by the financial burden and the demands of hosting mourners. When her mother passed away, she skipped setting up a mourning hall and held a three-hour memorial service instead. Around 40 family members and friends gathered to remember and cherish the life of the deceased. What caught the reporters' attention most, however, was a "living funeral" held while the person is still alive. Kim Hong-seop prepared a special living funeral for his mother, who celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this month. He said he organized the event because he wanted to gift his mother with love while she was still alive, rather than grieving too late after she passed away. We take a look at that special day, which was filled with laughter and gratitude instead of tears. Regarding this shift in funeral culture, Lee Jeungsun, a professor in the Department of Mortuary Science at Eulji University, analyzed, "Due to smaller family structures, weakening social ties, and financial burdens, there is a growing trend to pursue substance over formal rituals." Won Hye-young, co-chair of the Well-Dying Culture Movement, also diagnosed that following the "first funeral revolution," which shifted the focus from burial to cremation, a "second funeral revolution" centered on remembrance rather than mourning halls is now beginning. For whom should a funeral be held? Is it to save face for those left behind, or is it the final moment to remember the one who has departed?

In this week's SBS <News Story>, we reflect on the meaning of a "good farewell" and the essence of funerals through Korea's changing funeral landscape. From funerals without mourning halls to living funerals and new ways of memorializing, we share stories of death and parting that we must all contemplate.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.