This Party’s Dead: A Journey to Seven of the World’s Death Festivals

This week, to mark Dying Matters Awareness Week, we welcome writer and journalist Erica Buist, who invites us to look at death a little differently. After a personal loss brought her face to face with our culture's awkwardness in the ways we discuss death and dying, Erica set out to explore how other cultures approach it - with ritual, openness, and even joy.

Her journey took her to 7 of the world’s death festivals in Mexico, Nepal, Sicily, Thailand, Japan, Madagascar and Indonesia. She returned with stories, images, and reflections that remind us of something very 'Sunday Assembly': by facing life’s endings together, we can live more fully, and maybe even find moments of laughter along the way.

Sunday Assembly London is your regular and reliable stop for a welcoming, accessible and inspiring Sunday community, where you can hear talks and poetry, sing songs and make new friends.

Stay after for tea, biscuits, and chat in the Backyard Comedy Club. Then join us for a local meal, picnic, or a drink and board games at the pub.