Feb 21 • 01:10 UTC 🇰🇷 Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

“It’s a paradise over there”… Japan’s system allowing death at home

The article discusses the perspective on death within Korean society, reflecting on the recent experiences of the author's family and the shift in views regarding dying at home without family present, particularly within an aging society.

The article opens with a personal anecdote about the author's mother expressing a unique perspective on death, viewing it as a blessing to die peacefully, especially without burdening one's family. This perspective is informed by her experiences as she observes the suffering associated with prolonged illness and hospitalizations. The author contrasts their mother's beliefs with those of a friend mourning their mother, who passed away alone, to highlight differing views on death and dying that are emerging within Korean society amid the challenges of an aging population.

Furthermore, the piece references a book by Japanese sociologist Ueno Chizuko, which advocates for the right to die at home. This book includes anecdotes that poke fun at the typical expectations surrounding dying, such as the belief that one should hear loving words from family. These narratives suggest that the desire for loved ones to express their last goodbyes may not hold the significance some people think it does. The author reflects on their father's past reactions during moments of lucidity, suggesting a mutual understanding of the burdens and frustrations associated with dying.

The overall implications of this article point to a cultural shift in attitudes toward death within Korea, questioning traditional views of familial involvement during the dying process and challenging the notion of a 'good death.' In a society grappling with the realities of a super-aged demographic, there appears to be a rising acceptance of death as a more private affair, devoid of the societal pressures that often accompany it.

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