Why do you think someone would pretend to die?

How can you be more happy or positive about life?

Since 2012 more than 25,000 people have taken part in mass “living funeral” services at Hyowon Healing Center. They want to make their lives better by simulating their deaths.

Cho Jae-hee said when you become conscious of death, and experience it, you think about life differently. She took part in a living funeral as part of a “dying well” program.

There were many of all ages. They had funeral photos, wrote their last words and lay in a coffin for 10 minutes.

University student Choi Jin-kyu said his time in the coffin helped him see that too much, he saw other people as competitors.

“When I was in the coffin, I thought what use that is,” said the 28-year-old.  He plans to start his own business after graduation instead of trying to enter a very competitive job market.

Many younger South Koreans have high hopes for education and employment. But these have been dashed by the difficulty to get a good job.

“It is important to learn and prepare for death even at a young age,” said Professor Yu Eun-sil, a doctor at Asan Medical Center. He has written a book about death.

Funeral company Hyowon began offering the living funerals to help people appreciate their lives. He helps them to forgive and reconcile with family and friends. Jeong Yong-mun, heads the healing center.

Jeong said he is happy when people reconcile at a relative’s funeral. But he is saddened they wait that long.

“We don’t have forever,” he said. “That’s why I think this experience is so important. We can say sorry and reconcile sooner and live the rest of our lives happily.”

Occasionally he has helped to stop those contemplating suicide.

He found those people who have asked themselves if they can actually commit suicide, and I reversed their choice he said.

He wants people to know they have a choice “Happiness is in the present.”

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=4, B=8, C=1, D=7, E=6, F=2, G=5, H=3

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1. This year 2,000 people will take part in the running race.

2. VR games simulate real life.

3. We are conscious that this costs too much.

4. My dream to enter that university was dashed after I failed the exam.

5. We appreciate how our mothers cared for and loved us.

6. She was angry at him. But they reconciled after he bought her a nice dinner.

7. Mr Lee heads Samsung.

8. Students are contemplating what university is best for them.

    

    

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1. What do you think of Ansan Medical Center’s idea to simulate a funeral?

2. Would you contemplate taking part in this kind of pretend funeral? Why or why not?

3. How can you become more conscious of enjoying living?

4. What do you do if your hopes and dreams are dashed? Do you think this is just part of life?

5. How can you appreciate friends and family more?

6. If you fight with someone then how can you reconcile?

7. How would you feel about heading a company that simulates funerals?