"Small Funeral with Only a Few Attendees to Mourn the Deceased: What Are Your Thoughts?"

Spread of Contactless Culture and Demographic Changes Lead to Preference for Simple Funerals
Growing Positive Perception of Small Family-Only Funerals
Some View It as a Temporary Phenomenon Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Recently, so-called 'small funerals' that commemorate the deceased in accordance with the family's circumstances have been gaining attention. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Getty Images]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] Recently, simple funerals have been gaining attention. Unlike the traditional funeral culture of holding a three-day funeral with formalities and procedures, it is changing into so-called 'small funerals' that commemorate the deceased according to the family's situation.

According to Research View, a public opinion research agency, on the 24th, a planned survey on changes in Korean funeral culture conducted in March last year showed that 63.7% responded positively, 21.1% negatively, and 15.1% were unsure about the shift to simpler funeral methods after COVID-19.

The reasons for the growing positive perception of family-only funerals were ▲ the spread of new funeral cultures such as family funerals 37.9%, ▲ reduction of unnecessary condolence customs such as meals 27.1%, ▲ spread of frugal funeral culture 18.3%, and ▲ reduced fatigue of the bereaved due to fewer mourners 13.8%.

Among citizens, there are also opinions expressing a desire to spend their final moments quietly. Mr. A, in his 70s living in Seoul, recently asked his children in advance to prepare a family funeral when he passes away. He said, "I don't have many relatives I interact with, and I don't want to burden my children," adding, "I want to quietly conclude the last moments of my life with my family."

An expert analyzed that the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the spread of small-scale funerals. Lee Sangjae, president of the Funeral Directors Association, said, "Before COVID-19, funerals were events that received mourners, but after COVID-19, the culture has shifted to the bereaved mourning the deceased among themselves." He added, "Especially, even if mourners cannot attend in person, they express their condolences by sending condolence money online, so there is no discomfort, and the bereaved can hold small-scale funerals to reduce costs."

As the population structure changes due to aging, it is also affecting funeral culture. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Image source=Getty Images]

There is also an analysis that population aging is highly related to small funerals. President Lee said, "Aging is also influencing small funerals," adding, "Recently, more than 1.3 million people have written advance directives refusing life-sustaining treatment." He continued, "There is a growing culture among the elderly to accept death without heaviness," and "They do not want to burden their children with costs."

According to expert views, since the aging speed in Korea is fast, small funerals are expected to increase. According to Statistics Korea on the 24th, the proportion of the elderly aged 65 or older reached 17.5% in 2022, and it is predicted to reach 20.3% in 2025, entering a super-aged society.

However, there is also a perspective that the increase in small funerals is a temporary phenomenon that appeared after the pandemic. It is suggested that whether funeral procedures have transformed into small-scale ones needs to be observed further.

Professor Lee Jongwoo of Eulji University’s Funeral Studies said, "Attending funerals amid the resurgence of COVID-19 can be burdensome." He added, "We need to observe the trend after COVID-19 has somewhat subsided," and "It is difficult to conclude that small funerals have firmly established and are spreading."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.