Russians pay thousands to lie in coffins for 'death therapy'

A controversial trend called 'coffin therapy' is spreading across Russia. The practice involves simulating the experience of death to encourage people to reflect on their lives. While gaining traction in major cities, it has yet to reach Vladivostok or the wider Primorsky Krai region. The unusual service allows participants to lie in a coffin, mimicking their own funeral. Supporters claim it helps individuals reassess their priorities and appreciate life more deeply. In cities like Moscow and St Petersburg, some funeral agencies already offer the experience—but at a steep price. Sessions can cost anywhere from tens to hundreds of thousands of rubles.

In Vladivostok, the Memorial municipal funeral service has not introduced the therapy. Meanwhile, PrimRitualService, a local funeral agency, has the capability to provide it but has received no requests so far. Igor Strukov, one of Russia’s leading thanatopractitioners, suggests the slower adoption in Vladivostok stems from limited infrastructure. Unlike larger cities, the region lacks private funeral homes with qualified embalmers on staff.

For now, 'coffin therapy' remains unavailable in Vladivostok and Primorsky Krai. The high cost and specialised requirements mean only a handful of agencies in major Russian cities currently offer it. Whether the trend will expand to the Far East depends on future demand and industry development.