Financial Times FT.com

When death is a reminder to live

By Anna Fifield

Published: July 21 2008 22:10 | Last updated: July 22 2008 00:27

Standing in front of a flower-covered altar in a dimlylit room, Baek Kyung-ah is reading out her will at her own funeral. “I can’t believe today is my last day,” she chokes through sobs, her voice barely audible above the solemn music.

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“To my husband, knowing that this will be my last time seeing you, I would like to apologise for thinking only about myself and for not being a caring wife. To my parents, just thinking about you makes my eyes teary. I love you,” she cries, before heading off to lie down in a coffin and be “buried”.

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