Kam-yuen Tsang held a farewell gathering while he was still lucid, after his cerebellar ataxia had worsened over the preceding year. He said he wanted to hold it while he could still take part, and to make it easier for friends and family to talk about death and share feelings they might otherwise keep to themselves.
The gathering took place on 18 October, the Chung Yeung Festival, when many people visit the graves of ancestors. It was held at the Jockey Club Home for Hospice, with help from a social enterprise. A coffin prop was part of the event.
For relatives, the gathering also opened a conversation about what Tsang wanted. Bernice, a family member, said she had not known his deeper thoughts or wishes. The event gave him a way to tell the family what he hoped to do, and gave them a chance to consider how they could help him fulfil those wishes.
The founder of the social enterprise that helped organise the gathering said there was no fixed format: it should suit the person. He described its purpose as creating a chance to connect with others and reflect on one’s life.
A video shown at the gathering captured Tsang visiting his grandfather’s grave. He said that being able to make the visit, despite difficulty walking, gave him a sense of dignity.