What They Would Like to Wear for Their Funeral
All of life’s a stage and when that final curtain call comes, what would you wear for a memorable last impression? A wetsuit, mermaid costume, clown attire, Liverpool FC T-shirt and an imperial Chinese robe.
These last outfits were chosen by some of the 23 people taking part in a photo project initiated by The Straits Times, a leading Singapore daily, in partnership with Lien Foundation, a Singapore philanthropic house.
Entitled “The Last Outfit”, the project showcases individuals in the clothes they wish to wear for their own funeral.
“Dressing is a way of life and even at death, our clothes can be a statement of who we are,” said Lee Poh Wah, CEO, Lien Foundation.
“Each exit outfit is one that best expresses the subject’s unique life. Their outfits and candid attitude have given us a fresh and fun perspective on how to deal with death. If there’s something like funeral fashion, they are setting a trend by wearing their souls on their sleeves.”
[ Also Read: Life and beyond… By Rakesh Raman ]The Last Outfit seeks to remove the taboo of death and enthuse people to view life and death differently. As part of the Foundation’s Life Before Death initiative, the project’s unusual approach underlines a serious attempt to spur conversations and thoughts about end-of-life matters.
According to Lien Foundation, the final curtain call came early for one of the subjects, 46 year-old cancer patient Madam Foo Piao Lin. All her life, she had always wanted to wear a beautiful cheongsam (Chinese dress for ladies). Now she has her wish fulfilled by the Last Outfit project and at her funeral.
Beneath her sweet pose lies the courage to face death squarely. She prepared her family and shared with them her last wishes and hopes. She took part in the project to encourage others not to shy away from end-of-life issues and to make preparations for the inevitable.
Madam Foo also wrote to her hospice to thank them for their care and to thank Straits Times photographer Desmond Lim for giving her loved ones “beautiful pictures for sweet memories” of her. On 1 August 2011, she passed away. Rather than leave it to chance or for others to decide, Madam Foo took responsibility for her final affairs.
“There can be brilliance in the shadows of death. Her family was fortunate to be part of her good-bye plans,” observed Mr Lee. “It’s so much more valuable and meaningful to have had such conversations when the person is alive.”
Lien Foundation informs that an international feature documentary film that examines the global crisis of untreated pain will be released in end 2011. It profiles palliative care professionals at the frontline as they seek to improve care for the dying.
The film is shot in 11 countries and uncovers the diverse cultural perspectives on pain, death and dying.
