My Stance on Death

A question I often hear is whether death should be a celebration or a sorrowful occasion. While many people might immediately associate death with sadness and grief, I personally believe that death can, and perhaps should, be celebrated. This perspective isn’t shared by everyone, of course, but it opens the door to different cultural and spiritual practices that view death in a unique light.

For instance, in Tibetan Buddhism, death is seen as a natural and important part of the cycle of life. One of their most fascinating traditions is the sky burial, where the deceased's body is left exposed to be consumed by vultures. This practice is not seen as morbid but as a sacred and selfless act—an offering to nature and a means of facilitating the deceased's passage to the next life. It’s rooted in the belief that the physical body is only a temporary vessel, and the act of returning it to the earth helps to nourish and sustain life in a spiritual sense.

This view of death as a transition, rather than an end, invites a broader perspective: that death can be seen as a part of a greater cosmic flow, one that should not necessarily be met with sorrow but with respect, gratitude, and even joy in celebrating the life that was lived. In cultures around the world, from Dia de los Muertos in Mexico to the vibrant celebrations of life seen in parts of Africa and the Caribbean, death is acknowledged as a continuation of the soul’s journey rather than its final stop.

Ultimately, the way we approach death depends on our beliefs, traditions, and personal experiences. But as we begin to understand and appreciate the diverse ways in which death is viewed across cultures, perhaps we can find ways to make peace with it and even honor it in ways that feel empowering rather than limiting.