It’s now possible to attend your own funeral…but should you?

What does it means to commemorate a life of someone who is still alive – and is it healthy for those who are dying, or those left behind? As Dawn French reprises her Vicar of Dibley character as part of a 'living funeral' at Truro Cathedral, and some speak of putting the “fun” back in “funerals”, Yvonne Tulloch explores the ethical questions 

A living funeral (or pre-funeral as they are sometimes called) is a religious or non-religious celebration focussed on someone who is still alive. Particularly in the case of someone facing a terminal illness, the event can give the individual and their loved ones a chance to say goodbye. They have been popular in other parts of the world for some time, especially South Korea and Japan, but are now becoming increasingly popular in the UK, too.

Their increasing popularity marks a continuing shift away from Victorian-era customs and the ‘traditional funerals’ that many of us will be familiar with, and adds to the range of choices now available to people in marking the end of their life. In countries where assisted dying has been legalised, they are also fuelling conversations about making plans for end of life.