Singapore Conference, Another Global Stage

Grief and Bereavement Conference: Building More Inclusive Communities

From November 6 to 8, a six-member team of life artisans from Xiao En Group participated in a cross-national life education exchange in Singapore. The event, hosted by the Singapore Hospice Council, was the 2024 Grief and Bereavement Conference, held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. The conference aimed to bring together professionals in grief support, bereavement services, and funeral care from around the world to foster understanding, promote the importance of grieving voices, and build more inclusive, compassionate communities and cultures.

In a panel discussion on “ Regional Perspectives on Community Grief Support and Literacy Building, ” Xiao En’s Grief Counselling Consultant, Mr. Fong Yee Leong, presented insights from the ” Malaysia DEATHFEST: Connecting Life, Death and Community. ” Alongside speakers such as The University of Hong Kong PhD candidate Ng Yong Hao and Assoc Prof Teng Wen-Chang, Dept of Thanotology and Health Counselling, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Mr. Fong shared Xiao En’s journey in advancing life and death education in Malaysia.

Through activities, exhibitions, talks, and workshops, Mr. Fong and his team have engaged communities, educators, and students in exploring the meaning of life and confronting death with grace. Mr. Fong reflected, “we seek to spark reflections on life’s value, inspiring people to live fully in the present while calmly facing the inevitable.”

Five Life Practitioners also shared their professional experiences and personal journeys under the theme “Empowering others, we strengthen our own journey through life.”  Kezman Kok, a Family Care Consultant who guides families through end-of-life rituals, expressed a desire to break stereotypes about Family Care Consultant. “We’re not just providing a service. We are companions, communicators, and comforters who help bring closure and peace to grieving families.”

Desmond Koh, Clinical Care Profession, he emphasized the dignity owed to the departed. “Every time I share my journey, someone thanks me for touching their hearts. What I hope is that this inspiration motivates them to pass on these stories and spread the message of cherishing life. Because I can move others today, it is because I have been touched by the stories of others, which have inspired me to grow.”

Sunny Tan, Bereavement Care Profession, specializes in arranging farewell ceremonies that honor the wishes of both the deceased and their loved ones. For him, every opportunity to share—regardless of the occasion or audience—is equally significant. “We hope that our life stories can bring some strength to the community, allowing participants to take away something meaningful. Hopefully, their future lives can be a little brighter and more beautiful because of it.”

Crematory Operator Nelson Lai takes on the solemn responsibility of managing the departed’s final resting place, respectfully pressing the cremation button to send them on their last journey. He shared that, regardless of whether his audience is young, middle-aged, or elderly, he will continue to share his life experiences whenever the opportunity arises and where there is a need.

The journey of grief does not end with the conclusion of a funeral. The establishment of “Grief Counselling” embodies the philosophy of continued care following funeral services. Reflecting on the opportunity to present abroad, Certified Counsellor Quek Ser Pin shared his heartfelt thoughts: “To be honest, I once questioned whether I was qualified to stand on an international stage at a professional conference. But through constant practice and teamwork, I’ve come to deeply appreciate that while other countries may have their strengths, we in Malaysia have also dedicated ourselves wholeheartedly to life education and bereavement support.”

“Being able to share and exchange ideas overseas isn’t about competition – it’s about mutual learning and collaboration, which warms my heart. With every sharing session, I remind myself to stay true to the original intention of doing this work with sincerity. For me, that is the most beautiful part of this journey.” Quek shared.

The Life Practitioners combined their professional expertise with heartfelt insights and reflections on life, leaving the audience of international caregiving professionals deeply impressed. Many expressed eagerness to hear more of such impactful talks in future conferences. This invitation and recognition from Singapore mark a significant milestone for the Xiao En team in 2024, underscoring their growing influence in the field of life and death education.

Original article first appeared in《普门》杂志. — [ Click Here ]

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