Should Death be Celebrated Just Like Birth?

Ansh -

I was wondering if when a new life comes into being, it is celebrated universally, then why isn’t death celebrated or honored? After all, death is the twin brother of life.

It is a natural part of the cycle of life and should be acknowledged and honored in a respectful and meaningful way.

So, I did some digging and found out to my surprise that there are several cultures where death is not mourned but celebrated or honored.

Celebration of Life and Death

Some cultures and traditions that celebrate death include:

  1. Day of the Dead (Mexico) – A holiday that honors deceased loved ones, with colorful altars and offerings to the dead, as well as parades and parties.
  2. All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Catholic) – A two-day holiday that commemorates the dead and encourages people to pray for the souls of their loved ones.
  3. Obon (Japan) – A Buddhist festival that honors the spirits of ancestors, with traditional dances, music, and offerings to the dead.
  4. Ching Ming Festival (China) – A traditional Chinese festival that honors deceased ancestors by visiting their graves, cleaning and tending to them, and offering food and incense.
  5. Ganges Festival (India) – A Hindu festival that honors the dead by releasing their ashes into the Ganges River, and praying for their souls.
  6. Funeral Celebrations (Africa) – Many African cultures celebrate death by holding large funerals that include music, dancing, and traditional rituals to honor the deceased.

My take

Death is an integral part of life and should be celebrated and honored just as life is celebrated. It marks the end of one’s life journey and serves as a reminder of their life’s purpose.

Celebrating death can also bring closure and comfort to those left behind, allowing them to grieve and remember their loved ones positively and upliftingly.

But we are accustomed and hardwired to mourn it. Is it a natural response embedded in our species or something cultivated over a period of time?

Is it universal across all animal species or exclusive to homo sapiens?

But it is so easier said than done, right? When something like this happens to me then you will ask me how does it feel like now?

What is your take on this? Do you think death should be celebrated just like birth?

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