Dead Before Dying: Raising Death Awareness event in Thailand

Dead Before Dying, which is collaborate between Peaceful death and Round-finger, which is a preparation of death event. The imitative funeral rite was arranged by Roundfinger or Sarawut Hengsawad, writer under the concept of be conscious of death with intend to handle with his body after death and how to terminal care when he turn into terminal stage of ailment. He would like this funeral rite is not only cher-ish memory of the dead but also would like to remind of death.

7 o’clock in the evening
The tranquility was ubiquity prevailed but without sorrow. A grief was instead of the most of 10 favourite songs that he love, including the 10 recommend book lists about death were displayed around a pavilion at the temple. Today, this temple’s at-mosphere is relatively different because it is similar to the dead’s exhibition of life more funeral rite. Roundfinger’s testaments were exhibited at courtyard in front of pavilion. Their indicate how to arrange his possession and body after he died, includ-ing his statement which express to love and thanks to intimate persons. This testament on behalf of “Advance Directive/ Living will” (a light-hearted notebook). It is docu-ment to express an advance willing desire aspirant how to arrangement of the their body and funeral rite. There are the ways to management that correspond to the de-ceased aspiration and reduce an accountability from decision of their kinfolks.

The funeral rite is beginning in the dim darkness room, a fray-fades smoke are spread around in a space. This room look like a world after death in a human imagi-nation which their soul waiting for the last judgment room whether to go a heaven or hell.

Plain simple white coffin was laid in front of the room without memorial flora wreath or other ornaments for display. Sarawut’s protrait with born-death date and relax facial expression and say “There is nothing to worry about”. He deny a wreath but would like a books which each of attendance most love. Their books have been donated to children and library together with more thousand of his books that he have collected his entire life.

“The Beauty of Impermanence” is a short word are appeared at talipot fan in front of those monks. Each of the chairs are independently separated to prevent at-tendees from distracting mind and try to concentrate on themselves. The chanting from 4 monks is beginning with translation in Thai language for an audiences can get an access to meaning. Each of the attendees press the hands together the chest in sign of respect. Afterwards, the short clip video from familiar persons who he love and highly respect was shown to tell him to thank and make an apology include remem-brance of him. After that, platform in front of coffin turn into a stage of speech like TED talks, 7 speakers were persuaded to share dead experience by never talking about the death of him. The purpose of speech is to provide a various aspect of death on the other side. A significant step are lying in a coffin, everybody must close their eyes while deliberate mind around 20 minutes to aware of the contemplation of death.

Certainly, this event are both people who agree and disagree. Several peoples expressed the opinion that this is hold the death up to ridicule while someone are agree and admire in the ceremony because it was a good way to aware of the death before truly die and always remind meaning of life and that this moment is here and now for you to live.

The artificial funeral rite was held at Sala Pichanon, Wat That Thong, Bangkok for 30 November - 2 December 2018 and cremation in 4 p.m. at the last day.