Dying to Know Day 2023: Embracing Mortality to Live Fully
Dying to Know Day is a unique holiday celebrated on August 8 each year, aimed at encouraging open conversations about death and mortality. This day, established by The Groundswell Project based in Marrickville, New South Wales, seeks to destigmatize the topic of death and educate individuals on how to approach their own mortality. By embracing and planning for their own demise, people are encouraged to live more fully in the present.
The concept behind Dying to Know Day originated from Andrew Anastasios’s book, Dying to Know: Bringing Death to Life. Little did Anastasios know that his eccentric self-help book, published in 2010, would ignite a movement and give birth to a widely celebrated holiday. The Groundswell Project adopted Anastasios’s ideas surrounding death awareness, normalization, and literacy, and named August 8 as Dying to Know Day to honor his book’s title.
What initially started with only 23 events in the Sydney area in 2013 has grown significantly. This year, over 300 gatherings, meetings, and events will take place on August 8 to commemorate the importance of discussing mortality.
Dying to Know Day encourages practical applications to destigmatize death. It involves writing wills and obituaries, discussing end-of-life plans with loved ones in the case of terminal illness, disease, or injury, and even making funeral arrangements. Regardless of age or health, everyone is encouraged to contemplate their inevitable demise and decide how they want to be laid to rest.
Intriguingly, Dying to Know Day not only honors the living but also pays respect to the deceased. This day prompts individuals to not only think about their own mortality but also reflect on the losses of their friends and family members. Alongside end-of-life planning, Dying to Know Day addresses grief, bereavement, and loss management. It provides a platform where people from all walks of life can ask questions, engage in conversations, and express their emotions surrounding death.
The mission of Dying to Know Day is to help individuals overcome the natural reluctance to consider or speak about death. By gaining a deeper understanding of mortality, people are likely to feel considerably more at ease. One statistic highlighted by The Groundswell Project is that 41% of individuals desire to pass away in their own homes, but only 25% are able to do so. Open communication about end-of-life wishes allows more people to die in the comfort they desire.
While conversations and preparations for death may seem somber, they provide a newfound perspective on the remaining moments of our lives. By acknowledging our mortality, we are able to experience a greater sense of gratitude and pleasure in the present.
Dying to Know Day has grown over the years, opening up important dialogues and thoughts that would typically be avoided. It empowers individuals to confront their own mortality, engage with others, and consider what it means to live fully in the face of death. On August 8, let us embrace our mortality, honor those who have passed, and have meaningful conversations about the one thing we all share – the reality of death.
