"Imagine a harmonious group photo that brings together the rich traditions of five different cultures in their celebration of the deceased. On the far left, a vibrant Mexican woman dressed for Día de los Muertos, her face painted as a Catrina, adorned with a colorful flower crown. Beside her, a Ghanaian man stands proudly in his brightly patterned kente cloth, holding an intricately carved Asante funeral stool as a symbol of reverence. In the center, a Japanese woman in a traditional black kimono gracefully holds a lantern, illuminating the path for ancestral spirits during the Obon festival. To her right, a Balinese man in ceremonial attire, his head wrapped in an udeng, cradles a miniature ngaben cremation tower, showcasing the island's unique funeral rites. Completing the group on the far right, an American man in a classic suit holds a framed photo of a loved one, along with a bouquet of flowers, representing the more familiar Western funeral traditions. The backdrop is a subtle blend of elements from each culture: marigolds for Mexico, cherry blossoms for Japan, and a serene, natural landscape that ties all the traditions together in a celebration of life, death, and the memories that connect us all --s 250