Life Celebration Festival: Embracing the Journey of Life with Serenity

For Xiao En Group, Life Education has long been a mission of co-growth with society. Over the decades, this commitment has reached communities, schools, universities, and even crossed state and national boundaries. At its core lies an awakening to the essence of the life industry itself — offering the public a platform to face life and death with calmness and clarity.

In mid-August, the Malaysian Association of Pediatric Palliative Care (MAPPAC) hosted the 2nd National Conference of Children’s Palliative Care Malaysia 2025 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC). One of its highlights was the Life Celebration Festival, a three-day event open to both professionals and the general public. As one of the main supporting partners, Xiao En Group curated four sessions that guided participants through reflection, dialogue, and the rituals of farewell.

Among them was the picture book sharing of “ Dear Beloved Grandma ”, which opened a gentle entry point for parents and children to engage in conversations about life and loss. The workshop of “A JOURNEY WITHIN: COFFIN LYING EXPERIENCE BY XIAO EN” — encouraged people to practice saying goodbye to themselves and the world with intention and peace. On the final day, five Life Practitioners shared in a heartfelt session titled “A JOURNEY OF COMPASSION AND SELF-DISCORY.” The closing keynote, “THE BEST FAREWELL: LET LOVE REMAIN, NOT REGRET”, was delivered by Xiao En’s Counselling and Support Senior Advisor and Palliative Care Advocate, Mr. Fong Yee Leong.

Notably, the festival brought together not only medical and palliative care professionals but also members of the public from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, both local and international. Among the most talked-about experiences was the coffin-laying practice, which was open to the public and revealed the varying degrees of openness with which different cultures face death.

Mr. Quek Ser Pin, Xiao En’s Certified Counsellor and one of the facilitators of the coffin-laying activity, shared how carefully each step was designed. Upon entering, participants first encountered a guide explaining the process. The journey began with writing a farewell letter — often framed through the “Four Theme of Life”: Gratitude, Love, Apology, Farewell. Participants then took time to calm their emotions before moving to the coffin-laying stage.

At this point, volunteers gently guided participants to place their farewell letters into a symbolic box before lying inside the coffin. Each person could choose whether to close the lid or leave it open, and the experience lasted about two minutes. If anyone felt uneasy, they could tap the coffin, and the lid would be opened immediately. Afterward, participants were invited to write a letter to their “new self,” reflecting on what they had experienced and what truly matters in life. The final step invited participants to write a message of blessing for the next person, while taking home a blessing left by someone before them — creating a quiet chain of kindness and continuity.

Quek emphasized that the practice is not a gimmick, but rather a respectful invitation to reflect on life. “It is not about experiencing death,” he explained. “It is about experiencing the limits of life, so that we may re-evaluate our priorities and rediscover what it truly means to live well.”

Through these encounters, the Life Celebration Festival became more than an event — it was a collective reminder that while death may be inevitable, how we choose to live remains a matter of courage, reflection, and love.

This Original article first appeared in《 PUMEN普门 》magazine. [ Click Here ]