Talking about life and death may seem distant and unfamiliar to 15-16 year old children. Some thoughts may never have crossed their minds, and it can even evoke fear. However, the brave students of Kuala Lumpur’s Tsun Jin High School took a step forward and chose to experience the profound journey of the funeral process at Xiao En Centre.
It was only when the life practitioners shared the story behind the “small boxes”, the clinical care consultant showcased the embalming process, the funeral care consultant shared heartwarming funeral experiences, the grief counsellor explained how to provide support, and the Silent Mentor program highlighted the tremendous contribution to medicine, that they realized how close we are to life and death. They discovered the inseparable connection between counselling and funeral services, and recognized that the frontline workers of the funeral industry are worthy considerations for future career paths.
It’s truly heartwarming to see the positive impact that a journey of “Embracing Life Through Death” can have on both children and their parents. Many parents have shared their delight with the profound response from their children, such as expressions of love that were previously rare, or the proud sharing of their experiences upon returning home. It is a testament to the importance of such deep-rooted life education for our children.
Let us learn from the innocence and purity of our children’s hearts and cherish each day as if it were our last. May we all have the opportunity to experience such profound life education.