Thailands Death Fest teaches people to live and die with gusto

Face it: The Grim Reaper is waiting.At Thailand’s wildly unconventional “Death Fest,” hundreds of curious visitors are lying in caskets and confronting the ultimate question: What happens when life ends?The three-day expo near Bangkok, now in its second year, invites people to face their fears about death head-on while also learning the practicalities of planning for it.Experts in health care, financial planning and funeral services answer questions and provide advice.One of the most talked-about attractions is called “Test Die.”Participants climb inside coffins and gaze up at their reflection in a mirror suspended above them — literally seeing themselves as they would appear in death.Organizers say the goal isn’t to scare people — it’s to get them talking about something most families avoid.“Death involves everybody,” said Zcongklod Bangyikhan, one of the event runners.“Instead of wondering what dying will be like, we should think about how to make things easier for the people who remain after we’re gone.”For some visitors, the topic hits close to home.Attendee Sangduan Ngamvinijaroon said she has spent years caring for sick and dying relatives and has witnessed several deaths.She found the event helpful.“It’s not just about dying well,” said Ngamvinijaroon.

“It’s also about the present moment and taking good care of our lives while we’re still here.” The festival also showed off the newest in coffins.One company displayed a biodegradable casket made from mushrooms — using mycelium, the root-like fibers of fungi, to create an eco-friendly casket that naturally breaks down after burial.With Post Wires...