This essay, by Hoseok Jeon, 16, a student at the Korea International School in Seongnam, South Korea, is one of the Top 10 winners of The Learning Network’s “How To” Informational Writing Contest.
How to Prepare for a Funeral Portrait
For someone nearing the end of a full life, taking a funeral portrait doesn’t have to be a somber affair. For Park Young Hoon, an 81-year-old security officer at an apartment complex in Seoul, his funeral portrait session became a pleasant morning spent with his granddaughter. They ate breakfast, walked while listening to birds, and after the shoot, they shared ice cream.
“What most people see as morbid, I saw as another chance to create a memory,” Park says. This way, the funeral portrait transforms from a grim necessity into an everyday activity that happens to become the last image many will see of you. “You could let your memory become merely a formality, or you could turn it into a parting gift,” Park suggests.
First, schedule a date at a photo studio. “Morning appointments work best,” Park advises. “By afternoon, you’ll have experienced so many things that the unusual feeling of taking a funeral portrait disappears,” he explains. Even before the shoot, Park recommends staying active. “Keep yourself occupied and quiet the anxiety your brain is signaling,” he says. “Life limits your choices in many ways: in-laws, height, taxes — the list continues. This portrait lets you reclaim some control over your legacy.”
Choosing appropriate attire comes next. “We should abandon the notion that funeral portraits must be formal,” Park insists. “The image should represent your authentic self. Would it make sense for an avid traveler to wear a suit? Of course not.” He compares life to a novel, noting that “the photo serves as the cover, and that cover remains forever.” Park himself wore his security guard uniform for his portrait. “It’s who I’ve been for 20 years — why pretend otherwise?”
The final step is attending the appointment. Park suggests bringing someone along. “My granddaughter kept making jokes that made me laugh naturally instead of forcing that stiff ‘photograph smile,’” he recalls. “Genuine expressions matter more than practiced poses.”
Taking the portrait is straightforward — follow the photographer’s guidance and remember that authenticity trumps perfection. “A good photograph doesn’t just freeze time,” Park reflects. “It brings back smells and feelings, connecting us to what matters.” We all hope our portraits will remind others of the connections we shared. “So smile,” concludes Park, “not just for the camera, but for the wonderful life you’ve lived.”