1. Do participants need to be dying or close to death in order to attend a Happy Dying ceremony?
No, participants can be in any stage of their life and willing to confront their mortality and examine their lives and death.
2. Do I invite my friends and family?
This ceremony is done individually but in a group setting of other attendees. This is not a living wake but rather individual introspective work on ones self.
3. What would motivate someone to want to think about death or practice dying?
Thinking about and confronting ones own mortality is something many different people and cultures have been doing since the beginning of time. Confronting our mortality can give us a glimpse into what is important us. It can be a springboard to ones spiritual growth, a prompt to make positive changes in our lives and create a type of clarity to start living a life that is true to ones self.
4. What are the benefits? What will I gain from doing this?
The Happy Dying ceremony is an intense deep dive into ones psyche. It can be incredibly emotional at times, sometimes it can be uncomfortable and takes courage to actively participate in. Attendees may gain a deeper clarity in their lives.
5. What do I need to bring to the Happy Dying ceremony? How do I prepare?
Everything you need will be supplied by the host. Wear loose, comfortable clothing as we will be sitting and laying on yoga mats the majority of the time. Experience in meditation is beneficial but not necessary. Light refreshments will be offered.
Please send a picture of yourself, like a head shot to be used in your ceremony, to robinkirchen@gmail.com as soon as possible. This must be sent by at least 3 business days before the event.