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First HK survey on the subject finds traditional Chinese beliefs have little influence

Strong family relationships and a lack of pain help go towards making a 'good death', according to a survey, which also found that traditional Chinese beliefs on the subject have little influence on people's views.

The results were released yesterday amid calls for a more open attitude towards death as Hong Kong's society ages.

The Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care conducted the survey in February among 719 adults aged 39 or older to determine their views on what defined a 'good death'. It was the first survey of its type  conducted in Hong Kong.

Respondents were asked to rate 17 items which would affect the quality of their death, including physical suffering, family relationships, achievements, farewells with friends and families, and funeral services.

Physical suffering ranked top, scoring an average of 8.8 out of 10 marks.

But also strongly influencing respondents was the well-being of remaining family members (8.29) and family reconciliation (7.85). Chinese traditions that one should die with a complete body, and have an extravagant funeral were the least important, rating 3.64 and 2.71 respectively.

Cecilia Chan Lai-wan,  vice-president of the society and director of the Centre on Behavioural Health at the University of Hong Kong, said there was a need to learn to cope with death positively in an ageing society such as Hong Kong.

'There are 30,000 Hong Kong people passing away each year because of accidents, illnesses or natural causes,' Professor Chan said.

'Considering that one death normally affects six people, there are at least 180,000 people suffering from death-related emotional problems every year.'

She said Hong Kong people had been more open to discuss the issue in recent years, despite Chinese culture traditionally relating death to suffering.

'I am glad for the change because our culture has caused unnecessary emotional suffering for both the ones facing death and their loved ones,' Professor Chan said.

'When people are going to die, they actually have an urge to express love for their family, and resolve any grievances with them. And this urge is even stronger among Chinese people, who always place family before themselves.'

The society will hold a series of seminars on life and death education in schools and community centres to help people address the issues. Professor Chan advised that children should also be educated about death. 'We hope that everyone in Hong Kong can laugh and cry when a family member passes away, and be grateful for the good times they have shared together, despite their grief,' she said.



Strong family ties pave way for 'good death'