Written By Sesam Rana Magar, Terafty Manager
The images are sourced from Death Cafe’s Website and Tripadvisor
Modern problems require modern solutions. Although psychological and emotional struggles have been inherent to human life throughout history, it is only recently that people have begun to fully comprehend their circumstances and actively seek solutions. Amidst numerous hit-and-miss attempts, death cafes and fake funerals have emerged as intriguing options for those contemplating the choice between living and giving up. Terafty’s upcoming short film, “Cafe Diem,” brings this concept to life on screen, offering a thrilling journey of people reigniting their will to live by confronting death.
In our last blog, we delved into the world of uniquely themed cafes in Korea. From cafes themed around animals to those featuring entertainment characters, we discussed several interesting cafe spaces where people can have innovative experiences over a cup of coffee. Amidst these innovative cafe experiences, the concept of death cafes emerges.
Death Cafes: Spaces Where People Discuss Mortality and Find Solace
The ideation of death cafes dates back to 2004. A Swiss sociologist and anthropologist, Bernard Crettaz, organized the first Cafe Mortel. Later, inspired by his work, Jon Underwood, a UK web developer, introduced the concept to London by launching the Death Cafe website. Gradually, the concept spread to the United States, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and other countries. After the unfortunate and untimely demise of Underwood in 2017, his mother, sister, and wife took over the running of Death Cafe.
Death cafes are spaces where people engage in open discussions about death — a topic often avoided due to taboo. Unlike other cafes, death cafes do not have a fixed physical location. Instead, they function more like events that can take place in rented venues or even cemeteries. In Death Cafes, people confront mortality and find solace. Their objective is to increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their (finite) lives.
Despite the unsettling and sometimes disturbing theme implied by their name, death cafes serve as havens for many people struggling with psychological and emotional challenges. They offer a brief experience lasting a few hours, during which participants make life-and-death decisions that can leave a lifelong impact. They provide an escape from life-threatening thoughts, where individuals realize they are not alone in contemplating the choice between life and death.
Besides this social franchise spread around the world, we will also delve into various death-themed cafes.
Death-Themed Cafes Around the World
Unlike cafes with more common themes, such as animal or entertainment character cafes, death-themed cafes are relatively rare. While other cafes cater to lighter and more mainstream interests, death-themed cafes stand out for their unconventional focus on the heavier topics of death and mortality.
i) Kidmai Death Awareness Cafe in Thailand
Kidmai Death Awareness Cafe is located in Bangkok, Thailand. The objective of the cafe is to decrease corruption and crime by making people reflect on the shortness of life and lessen their greed. In addition to being a cafe, it also functions as an exhibition space.
To enter the main cafe space, visitors have to walk along a dark alley with different signs hanging from the ceiling. The hanging signs feature questions such as “Are you tired today?”, “What’s the purpose of your life?”, and “Is there anyone waiting for you?” among other deep questions. Unlike the alleyway to the cafe, the actual cafe space is not scary. However, it retains a sense of mystery.
The cafe space is filled with props such as skeletons, Thai coffins, and life & death-themed rooms. It features four stages: Birth, Elder, Pain, and Death. In the Birth stage, the room is decorated to resemble a mother’s womb, and real sounds from a hospital maternity ward are played. In the next stage, Elder, people can experience the life of an elderly person by wearing wigs and holding sticks. The third stage, Pain, features a room that resembles an ICU ward. Finally, in the Death stage, visitors can get into a coffin, an activity that Thai people believe removes bad luck from life. There is also a wall where people can write down their thoughts on life.
For beverages, they feature four signature drinks, each named after one of the four stages of life mentioned above. Overall, the cafe highlights different stages of human life, encouraging people to reflect on life, death, and everything in between while enjoying the cafe atmosphere.
ii) The Mortals Cafe + Confection in USA
Although the cafe recently shut down, it was a space where people openly discussed mortality. The cafe was located in the back of Grand Rapids’ downtown Harris Building. Although the interiors and decoration of the cafe didn’t outrightly reflect the theme of death, some corners in the cafe displayed items that would spark conversations on this often overlooked and brushed-off topic in many cultures.
The cafe offered books, games, and other materials related to death. The take-out cups had questions like, “What would you like written for your epitaph?” printed on them. The cafe’s website included the following statement: “Death is a grim topic where discussion can get swept under the rug, and outside cultures that do it well can become appropriated incorrectly.”
iii) Coffin Break in the Philippines
Coffin Break is a death-themed cafe situated in Bacolod City, Philippines. The cafe is located in an ideal spot, right between a hospital and the funeral parlor owned by the cafe’s owner, Sy. The concept for the cafe’s theme originated from the coffins that Sy and his parents make for their funeral parlor business.
Coffins are used as chairs and seating spaces in the cafe. Additionally, there is a miniature coffin used as a tip box. Being surrounded by coffins in a cafe setting certainly makes individuals ponder their mortality. However, many visitors frequent the cafe not only for its theme but also for its delicious food. While the cafe’s food is equally enticing as its theme, its popularity stems primarily from its coffin theme and unique location.
Fake Funerals in South Korea: Services Where Deaths Are Simulated
In South Korea, where the suicide rate is among the highest globally, there has been a notable introduction of fake funeral services that have proven effective for many. These services are also known as “Mock Funerals.”
Many professionals provide such services in Korea, with one of the most notable being Hyowon Healing Center, which offers group services. The program, which started in 2012, is free for everyone, and over 25,000 people have taken part since its inception. The service has been used by a wide age range, from teenagers to the elderly.
During these services, participants wear funeral robes, take funeral pictures, receive guidance from a philosophical guru, write their own eulogies, and spend 10-30 minutes meditating inside a coffin, offering them a unique perspective on the afterlife. This process is designed to generate consciousness of death among participants and spark a strong willingness to live. Furthermore, there are many documentaries on fake funerals in South Korea. VICE has produced a popular documentary titled “A Good Day to Die: Fake Funerals in South Korea,” providing an in-depth perspective.
Conclusion
The exploration of death cafes and fake funerals highlights innovative approaches that have evolved over the years in addressing psychological and emotional struggles. These spaces, whether through open discussions about mortality or simulated death experiences, offer unique methods for individuals to confront their fears and find new motivations to live. Such unconventional solutions play a significant role in helping people navigate the complexities of life and death.
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