“Nothing gets done without a deadline,” my boss used to say. I was reminded of his rule as I looked at what memento mori means.
However, this may not be true in every case. Things can get done without a deadline, but giving an endpoint for a project engenders a certain amount of motivation. When setting a date for a wedding, certain things must get done, and plans are made with that point in mind. Other events are similar in their ability to force us to get things done. Graduation. Birthday parties.
As an author, I love deadlines—realistic ones, at least. I make my own even when a publisher or editor doesn’t provide one. I get more done that way.
Death awaits us all. It’s not fun to think or talk about, but we’ll all face the end of this life. It behooves us to prepare for it. So, what does memento mori teach us about preparing well for death?
What Does the Phrase Memento Mori Mean?
Memento mori is a Latin phrase that translates into English as “remember that you will die.”
The phrase originated in ancient Rome and was used as a verbal or visual reminder of mortality. Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, memento mori became a prominent theme in art, particularly in Christian iconography. Artists depicted images of death, decay, and earthly pleasures’ transience as a reminder of life’s impermanence and the need to prepare for the afterlife. Paintings, sculptures, and religious artifacts often featured symbols such as skulls, hourglasses, or wilted flowers to convey the message of memento mori.
In addition to its artistic representations, the concept of memento mori has played a significant role in philosophical and spiritual teachings. Stoic philosophers such as Seneca and Marcus Aurelius emphasized contemplating death to embrace life fully and live with purpose and virtue. For Stoics, meditating on death’s inevitability served to cultivate gratitude, resilience, and inner peace in the face of life’s uncertainties.
In contemporary society, the memento mori concept is a still relevant reminder of life’s impermanence. It encourages individuals to live intentionally, cherish meaningful relationships, and pursue purposeful endeavors. Yes, contemplating mortality may evoke discomfort or existential dread. However, it can also inspire individuals to cultivate gratitude, live authentically, and embrace life’s fullness.
Where Does Memento Mori Come From?
The concept of memento mori has ancient roots, back to ancient Rome, where it served as a poignant reminder of death’s inevitability.
In ancient Rome, memento mori was not just a phrase; it was a cultural practice. It was customary for Roman generals, politicians, and aristocrats to have a slave or servant accompany them during parades, triumphs, or public events. The slave’s role was to whisper memento mori or Respice post te. Hominem te memento (“Look behind you. Remember that you are mortal”) into the ear of the individual being celebrated. This practice aimed to instill humility, reminding those with power and prestige that their mortality and earthly accomplishments were fleeting.
The Romans built their empire upon the foundation of the Greek societies—Greek philosophy, government, and military achievements. In particular, Greek military structure and strategy, reaching its peak under Alexander the Great, became Rome’s engine of conquest. They took pride in their legions, their battle valor. With this military power structure, it makes sense that the Romans glorified death to some degree.
Memento mori’s influence can be seen today in various cultural practices and traditions worldwide. In some cultures, rituals for death and mourning remind people of the importance of cherishing life. For example, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico and All Saints’ Day in Roman Catholicism are occasions for honoring deceased loved ones.
Does Christianity Change What Memento Mori Means to Us?
While the phrase still carries the fundamental reminder of mortality, Christianity adds layers of meaning to how we understand death.
The Bible frequently emphasizes life’s brevity and the need to prioritize spiritual matters over worldly pursuits. Ecclesiastes 7:2 states, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.” Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, encourages believers to intentionally consider death despite how uncomfortable and inconvenient this might be. Wisdom teaches us to consider our days are short.
The New Testament echoes this sentiment in Ephesians 5:15-16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” The days are evil because they are short and numbered. Short lives weren’t part of the original design, so life’s temporary nature is “evil.” However, Paul tells us in Ephesians we can redeem our temporary time here. How? Living in Christ and his eternal life makes our lives meaningful. Jesus put death to death, and we transcend it all through him.
The reminder of coming death also connects to the biblical expression of death coming suddenly. James 4:14 warns against making promises because no one is promised tomorrow.
For Christians, death is not viewed as the final end but rather as a transition to the afterlife. Therefore, memento mori takes on a dual significance for Christians. On the one hand, it reminds us that earthly life is brief and uncertain, prompting believers to live with purpose and urgency. We see this in passages like James 4:14: “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” On the other hand, memento mori points believers toward the hope of eternal life and the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ. For example, Jesus says in John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
This reality grants every act (no matter how minor) purpose, if the act is done with an eternal perspective. Believers are called to live under God’s will and to seek the Kingdom of Heaven, as stated in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Furthermore, Christianity provides comfort and consolation in the face of mortality. It offers the promise of resurrection, the hope of reunion with loved ones in the presence of God. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 assures believers, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of humanity, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” This belief in the resurrection transforms memento mori from a mere reminder of mortality to a source of hope and comfort.
How Should Christians View Memento Mori?
For Christians, viewing memento mori involves embracing a balanced perspective that acknowledges the reality of mortality while affirming the hope of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ.
- Acceptance of Mortality. We should recognize and accept death’s inevitability as a natural part of the human experience. Psalm 90:12 exhorts, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Reminding ourselves and one another to consider our finite number of days is the pathway to greater wisdom. We live with intentionality, prioritizing what matters and making the most of our time on earth.
- Reflection on Life's Meaning. Contemplating memento mori encourages us to reflect on life’s meaning and purpose in light of eternity. Ecclesiastes 12:13 reminds us, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Understanding the brevity of life prompts us to seek wisdom, pursue righteousness, and live in alignment with God’s will.
- Humility and Gratitude. Recognizing mortality reminds us to be thankful and humble. We completely depend on God and his grace. We rejoice and experience eternal joy now because of God’s work through Christ, to take our dead sinful life and bring us to new life, reborn from heaven to live in him now and forever.
- Preparation for Eternity. Memento mori serves as a reminder to prepare for eternity by placing our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. When eternity becomes our focus, we speak of the next life as real, something of substance. Placing faith in Christ, we gain heaven and more, escaping death’s finality. We live with confidence and assurance in God’s promises. This further motivates us to speak the Gospel of Jesus to those we love and care for.
- Living with Purpose. Along with hope of the life to come, contemplating memento mori prompts us to live with purpose and intentionality, investing our time, talents, and resources in ways that honor God and benefit others. Colossians 3:17 teaches, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This mindset encourages us to make every moment count and steward our lives for God’s glory and eternal reward.
- Comfort in Grief. Jesus beat death, and death no longer has its eternal sting. But death still hurts and causes pain. Memento mori offers comfort and hope to us in times of grief and loss. It reminds us of the promise of resurrection, the assurance of reunion with loved ones in God’s presence. When Jesus came to his friend’s grave, he grieved even though he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11). God doesn’t dismiss pain, and we are called to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15), affirming the agony of death in this world.
We should view memento mori as a sobering yet hopeful reminder of life’s brevity, the importance of living with purpose and gratitude, and the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. By embracing a balanced perspective on mortality, we can find wisdom, comfort, and assurance amid life’s tragedies.
Peace.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/yuriz
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