Death (affordable Cremation, burial etc.) in Japan

[Isodora]

Is anyone out there, who has made plans about their burial/cremation in Japan?

We are a foreign family and will likely stay in Japan. I would like to have a non-religious and affordable no-frills cremation, and have seen advertisements occasionally, so it seems to get more popular. Do you have any recommendations? And also, what are the options if you want to avoid an expensive/perhaps even unaffordable grave (in the bigger cities), e. g. anonymous grave etc.

Perhaps some of you with Japanese partners will have a family grave, but there may be others in our situation, and I would appreciate any thoughts, „experiences“, or things worth knowing and links to get me started.

Thank you!

[Roger Van Zant]

Do you even need/want a grave?
I plan to be scattered in my garden, or used to fertilize a tree pod.

Not sure if this will ever catch on in Japan:
https://ideasforgood.jp/2020/01/06/huma ... 0%E3%80%82

Probably not, as the Buddhist monks and funeral companies would be out of pocket!

[zeroshiki]

Alot of people just opt for cremation and keep their ashes at home. That's the most cost effective way I can think of.

Where I come from, funeral plans are a thing and don't cost that much. They do everything from arranging funeral services, cremation and, if you want, a grave. I looked it up and it seems like there are plans like that in Japan too so if you're worried about that (or just in general want to avoid the hassle) you should look at getting one. 終活保険 or 葬儀保険

[RetireJapan]

My impression is that (like with weddings) you can pay as much as you like. The basic compulsory costs are likely quite low, but then you have a huge range of paid options you can add on.

I've told my wife and children I don't want any kind of ceremony. Just do the minimum (cremate) then have a memorial party somewhere (in a restaurant) and show photos etc.

[captainspoke]

Joke seen on reddit:

Person One: I was spreading my wife's remains in her favorite park when one of the groundskeepers ran up and stopped me. "What's wrong," I asked?

Groundskeeper: "Doing that is only allowed if the person has been cremated first."

[TJKansai]

My impression is that (like with weddings) you can pay as much as you like. The basic compulsory costs are likely quite low, but then you have a huge range of paid options you can add on.

I've told my wife and children I don't want any kind of ceremony. Just do the minimum (cremate) then have a memorial party somewhere (in a restaurant) and show photos etc.

My in-laws have a plot about 500m from our place, but I get the feeling they may be the last generation who plan on actually using it. The "plot" has been in the family for centuries, but was relocated at least once and is really just a memorial. I wonder if there are any ashes in it.

[Isodora]

Do you even need/want a grave?

"No, it is not very practical as I don't know where the children will live and just puts extra burden on them"


I plan to be scattered in my garden, or used to fertilize a tree pod.

"Sensible idea, we only have a balcony .... "

Not sure if this will ever catch on in Japan:
https://ideasforgood.jp/2020/01/06/huma ... 0%E3%80%82

"Interesting, although 30 days seems very short for total decomposition including teeth."

Probably not, as the Buddhist monks and funeral companies would be out of pocket!

[Isodora]

Alot of people just opt for cremation and keep their ashes at home. That's the most cost effective way I can think of.

"True, but not very practical when the next generation moves and perhaps moves abroad "

Where I come from, funeral plans are a thing and don't cost that much. They do everything from arranging funeral services, cremation and, if you want, a grave. I looked it up and it seems like there are plans like that in Japan too so if you're worried about that (or just in general want to avoid the hassle) you should look at getting one. 終活保険 or 葬儀保険

"Thank you, will check it"

[Isodora]

My impression is that (like with weddings) you can pay as much as you like. The basic compulsory costs are likely quite low, but then you have a huge range of paid options you can add on.

I've told my wife and children I don't want any kind of ceremony. Just do the minimum (cremate) then have a memorial party somewhere (in a restaurant) and show photos etc.

"Maybe I should copy that, good idea "

[RetireJapan]

Just asked my wife about this (she has a lot of experience with family funerals, unfortunately).

The main costs seem to be:

1) paying the funeral company to transport the body from the hospital or home to the cremation site. You are not allowed to move cadavers yourself in Japan but must get a professional to do it.
2) cremation cost

She thinks that would be about 50,000 yen for each, or around 100,000 yen in total. If you then keep the bones/ashes at home, there would be no further cost.

Having any kind of commercial funeral would make things a lot more expensive, as would having a grave at a temple or similar. Buddhist funerals are also extremely expensive, with some kind of 'buying your way into heaven' thing where you pay more to get a longer name which is more prestigious.