"Don't Bother People": Son Spends Just 275,000 Won on Funeral

Mourning halls crowded with chrysanthemums, wreaths, and mourners, and hosting guests through the night. South Korea's funeral culture, long taken for granted, is changing. Recently, "no-wake funerals"—where families send off the deceased quietly with only family members, without sending obituaries or setting up a mourning hall—have been rapidly increasing. According to funeral directors, no-wake funerals, which accounted for only about 1% of all funerals five years ago, reached nearly 20% last year. Why are people leaving behind the familiar three-day funeral to choose a new way of saying goodbye?
  In March, Cho Ho-jin, who lost his mother, chose a no-wake funeral in accordance with his mother's wishes, who had said during her lifetime, "Don't bother people." The funeral cost was a mere 275,000 won. He says that rather than the cost savings, the greatest comfort was not burdening those around him and being able to share their grief solely among family members. Ko Young-ran, who had previously held a traditional three-day funeral, recalled being overwhelmed by the financial burden and hosting mourners. When her mother passed away, she skipped setting up a mourning hall and instead held a three-hour memorial service. About 40 family members and friends gathered to remember and cherish the life of the deceased. What caught the reporting team's 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 living funeral because he wanted to gift her 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 Jung-sun, a professor of the Department of Funeral Services at Eulji University, analyzed, "Due to smaller family structures, weakening social ties, and financial burdens, there is a growing trend of pursuing substance over formal rituals." Won Hye-young, representative 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. Who should a funeral be for? Is it to save face for those left behind, or is it the final moment to remember the one who has departed?

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