Attitudes towards the end of life have changed dramatically.
More and more people are choosing not to keep their ashes, not to buy a cemetery, or even to be worshiped by future generations.
What is the reason for this "no burial" choice?
Is it forced by a practical problem, or is it a kind of ideological sublimation? Some people regard it as enlightenment to get rid of "self-grasping," and some people seek to return to nature and achieve freedom in this way.
In any case, this marks a profound shift in the way people think about death.
Cemeteries prices skyrocketed, and young people flocked to the cities
Speaking of the new attitude of contemporary people towards death, we have to mention such a phenomenon - the skyrocketing rate of cemetery prices, which seems to be visible to the naked eye exceeds housing prices. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the average price of residential commercial housing in China will rise by 6.8% in 2023, while in the same year, the price of cemeteries in many places has increased by more than 10%.
It is not difficult to imagine that for many ordinary seniors, this has undoubtedly become a significant financial burden.
In addition, with the acceleration of urbanization, a large number of young people have poured into cities, and most of those who remain in rural areas are middle-aged and elderly. This means that the funeral practices that used to have family or family cemeteries in rural areas are gradually declining, and are being replaced by an increasing number of people buying cemeteries.
But not everyone can afford it. Usually the age of the cemetery is 50 or 70 years, and the payment cycle is mostly 20 years. At a time when family values are becoming increasingly indifferent, many people are worried about whether generations after death will come to pay their respects sincerely.
So, for those who can't afford to buy a cemetery, choosing not to keep their ashes has become a more pragmatic option. They can use the money they originally intended to use to buy a tomb to improve their quality of life while they were alive, or leave it to their children for retirement and home purchases.
There are also many elderly people who do not want to burden their children, whether it is economic or psychological, and take the initiative to choose this "no burial" method.
From the heavy financial burden to the change of family concept, these practical problems have become an important reason why more and more people choose not to keep the ashes and not buy the cemetery.
From "thick burial" to "no burial" – how contemporary people view death
For the major events of life and death, Chinese history has always adhered to a traditional concept of "thick burial".
For example, in the Han Dynasty, most people adhered to the practice of "burial in the ground", believing that the deceased should be buried with dignity and glory as a funeral, so as to express mourning and respect for the deceased.
This concept stems from the traditional Chinese culture of filial piety, which is widely believed that since parents are kind to their children, then children should show the highest feelings of mourning and filial piety after the death of their parents.
As a result, people tend to create a dignified and solemn "final abode" for the deceased as much as possible. This practice is not only a way for the living to miss the dead, but also a manifestation of cultural inheritance and value identity.
The changes of the times and the awakening of ideas
With the evolution of the times, this practice of "thick burial" has gradually been challenged. The first is the increasing shortage of land resources, and more and more places have begun to advocate cremation, which undoubtedly breaks the traditional concept of burial.
At the same time, there has been a subtle change in attitudes towards posthumous matters. Compared with the previous kind of attention and piety, modern people are more indifferent and open.
Some people think that since death is inevitable, why spend too much effort and money on it, and that it is better to spend limited resources on something more meaningful.
A whole new kind of values is emerging. People are beginning to wonder what is the best way to bury the dead, whether it is a heavy and solemn funeral, or a simple and natural disposition? This leads to a deeper question - what kind of attitude do we have towards death?
From attachment to enlightenment
We have to admit that there is a deep attachment to "self-grasping" that is prevalent in human nature. Many people are so concerned about the wealth, status, and reputation they have accumulated during their lifetimes that they find it difficult to accept that death has reduced everything to nothingness.
This dedication has also led to harsh demands on their children at the end of their lives, such as expensive cemeteries, high-quality building materials, and regular worship.
But Buddhist philosophy tells us that everything in the world is empty, and that these attachments are meaningless.
When a person dies, all his possessions and achievements are annihilated. As a result, those who have a deeper understanding of this tend to be more calm and indifferent in dealing with their own aftermath.
They cherish the present life, are not too attached to the past and the future, and can accept the end of life with a peaceful attitude. This change in perspective makes them no longer obsessed with the so-called "thick burial", but more willing to choose a simple and free way.
Perhaps "no burial" is not only a practical choice, but also a manifestation of an ideological realm.
For those who choose the "no burial" method, they have often stepped out of their attachment to life and death. In their concept, the meaning of life is not about the arrangement after death, but more about how to cherish the present life.
As Sirius in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban said, "Those who truly love us will always stay in our hearts." ”
These people believe that it is not a big deal whether or not someone comes to worship after death. It's important to live life to the fullest and meaningful, and for loved ones to remember what you were like when you were alive and not dwell too much on etiquette after death.
Therefore, they would rather use the money originally intended to buy a cemetery to improve their quality of life during their lifetime, or leave it for their children to retire or buy a home.
Some people take the initiative to choose this "no burial" method out of consideration for not wanting to burden their children. They believe that death is a natural law and should not cause too much trouble to relatives. Just like the idea of "selflessness" in Buddhism, they strive to let go of their attachment to the self and face the end of their lives with a more peaceful and free attitude.
Redefining "Good Death"
This choice reflects an interesting problem. What kind of "end" is considered a "good death"? In the traditional concept, a "good death" often means that the deceased receives a dignified and solemn funeral and is respectfully worshiped by future generations. But for those who choose "no burial", the "good death" they are pursuing may have a different definition.
They believe that the real "good death" does not lie in the cumbersome funeral, but in the peace and relief of the heart at the end of life. As long as you can be free of worries and accept life and death calmly before you die, that is the best ending. As for the preservation of ashes or the purchase of cemeteries, they are just some forms, and the essence is not important. The most important thing is to get rid of the attachment to these material forms.
As Buddhists say, "self-grasping" is the root cause of human suffering. If you can let go of all attachments at the last moment of your life and reach a state of transcendence of life and death, then you can truly be at ease and the greatest liberation.
For those who choose "no burial", their choice may not be understood by the public, but in their opinion, this is undoubtedly a freer and more relaxed attitude towards life. Their choice not only reflects a new understanding of death, but also reflects people's spiritual pursuit of the meaning of life.
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