Death is always an unpleasant guest on all occasions, and topics related to life and death may seem as sensitive and emotionally challenging in any culture, particularly in Asian cultures and countries. As a music therapist based in Asia who works in palliative and bereavement care settings, challenges that arise from a death-avoidant culture have been essential learning in light of public health literacy and education. In an Asian society, people at the end of life often feel unseen and unheard, people who are grieving experience isolation, and people who talk about death also face challenges. It is important to address and support the needs of these populations, but it is equally important to develop innovative ways, such as using music to enhance death and grief literacy in the community.

This practice-based presentation will demonstrate the innovative use and role of music therapy to support and hold space for topics in life and death education including advanced care planning, end of life care, after death arrangement, bereavement care, and responding to the challenges of death-avoidant culture. I will demonstrate the use of music therapy methods as innovative approaches to life and death education, to create a safe, person-centred space for people in the Asian community to connect, communicate and make meaning around death-related topics. I will also reflect on my own experience as a recent music therapy graduate as I navigate the music therapy engagement where people learn to talk about life and death, reflect on their lives and connect with and support each other when death, dying and loss knock on their doors.

Looking to the future, this presentation hopes to spark inspiration and motivation for future research and practice explorations highlighting the integration of music therapy and life and death education, particularly in Asia.