Death belongs to a future we often prefer to ignore. Yet the future, whether near or far, is the field in which designers operate. In partnership with Ang Chin Moh Foundation, this Studio confronts the taboo of mortality in multicultural Singapore, asking: How might design open conversations about dying, death and funerals among families, friends, and us?

Students explored ways to normalise discussions around the end of life, from funerals and farewells to bereavement and legacy, across cultures and generations. Working with diverse stakeholder groups, the teams explored how storytelling, gameplay, and more new and challenging approaches can make the abstract more acceptable.

The resulting projects respond to a range of practices, rituals, and social norms, honouring Singapore’s cultural diversity. They seek to balance immediate emotional responses with long-term shifts in mindset. This can make conversations about dying, death and funerals a more natural part of everyday life. It can transform discomfort into a meaningful shared human experience. It also encourages more open attitudes towards funeral pre-planning.