People have developed various rituals around ending important life periods. They get together for a last meal, throw a good-bye party, or see their visitors off at the airport.

Why would people go through this effort in finding a round ending rather than moving on right away to what is coming next? Most research on life transitions has focused on the new beginning and on what helps once people have started their new life period. Ending a phase in a well-rounded way causally promotes positive affect and a constructive transition.