About this Event
This talk explores the diverse ways in which cultures around the world understand and commemorate death, revealing how rituals of mourning reflect deeper values about life, community, and remembrance. In many Western traditions, funerals often emphasize solemnity, reflection, and closure — a quiet farewell marked by formality and restraint. In contrast, celebrations like Mexico’s Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) transform grief into a vivid expression of love and continuity, where families welcome back the spirits of ancestors with music, food, and colour. Similarly, Ghanaian funerals are known for their vibrant energy, elaborate ceremonies, and even specially crafted “fantasy coffins,” celebrating the life and identity of the deceased rather than focusing solely on loss. Together, these traditions form a rhythm that moves between sorrow and joy, reminding us that memory and mourning can coexist — that death, in its many forms, is not just an end but a bridge between generations and cultures.
Please note that while you are welcome to book for this activity, you can also just drop in.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Charing Cross Library, 4-6 Charing Cross Road, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
