It is up to us to discover the call that God has placed in our hearts through prayer and discernment. The Christian example of the laity in and of itself is a form of Gospel witness. For example, I have seen paintings of saints with a skull next to them. A. Often comic books, television and movies depict monks as having an obsession with the dead or that monastic life is an occult type lifestyle which focuses on the dead. Like many other things these media represent, the reality is often distorted.
Monks respect their loved ones who have died like anyone else.
They also view death in a more positive light than many other people. In chapter 5 of his Rule St. Benedict tells us, Yearn for everlasting life with holy desire. Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die. Hour by hour keep careful watch over all you do, aware that God s gaze is upon you, wherever you may be. St. Benedict does not want anyone to think of death as a means of scaring the Hell out of the monk.