The significance of memorial tablets in Japan

In Japan, traditional funerals are mostly held in funeral halls, also known as mortuaries. The atmosphere is solemn and dignified. Men, women, young and old attending the funeral wear black mourning clothes. There is a ceremonial master who presides over the event, and a Buddhist priest offers prayers and chants sutras to commemorate the deceased and comfort the grieving family members.

Japanese-style ceremonial halls pay great attention to the background, often featuring altars and flower walls, creating a grand atmosphere. The portrait of the deceased is placed in the center. The portrait is made large to harmonize with the size of the hall. The background is also designed with different themes according to the wishes of the bereaved family. In the design room of Osaka Public Welfare Society, there are over a hundred different ceremonial hall design plans. Some are magnificent, others are exquisite and elegant. During the farewell ceremony, when paying respects to the deceased, relatives and friends offer flowers. A Buddhist monk must perform a memorial service and prayers for the deceased, with chanting lasting about half an hour. During this time, family and friends take turns offering incense. After the chanting ceremony, the coffin is presented for relatives and friends to pay respects and offer flowers. Afterward, the closest family members carry the memorial tablet, followed by the portrait and coffin onto the vehicle heading to the crematorium. After the funeral, the mortuary staff stand at the door bowing respectfully to see off the family members.

Besides the meticulous scene arrangement, the detailed and thoughtful service in every step by the Japanese is even more noteworthy. For the convenience of the bereaved family, love umbrellas are provided under the main entrance eaves, and there are coat racks. There is a dedicated rack for return gifts, neat and convenient. The memorial corridor in front of the ceremonial hall offers a brief review of the deceased's life for descendants to pay respects and remember. After death, the body is cleaned and washed, which has led to the emergence of specialized companies for body cleansing, called "Yukan" companies in Japanese. Some mortuaries commission them to provide on-site body cleansing services. Upon notification from the mortuary, the "Yukan" company arrives at the bereaved family's home with a special vehicle equipped with bathing tools. They only need to bring the washbasin indoors and connect it to water to work. After cleansing, the body is made up. Many Japanese makeup artists are women because they are careful and gentle, able to treat the deceased with great care to restore the body as completely as possible. This reflects the Japanese respect for the deceased and their attention to detail in service. Traditional Japanese burial clothes are simple and white, worn with the right shoulder slanted and left side open, opposite to how living people wear kimonos, to distinguish the deceased. Nowadays, many families choose to dress the deceased in their favorite clothes from life, making it more life-like. After dressing, the body is placed in the pre-selected coffin, and then the wake (vigil) ceremony is held, waiting for the farewell ceremony the next day.

The funeral process, from death, wake, farewell ceremony to cremation and burial, takes about three days. The entire process is solemn, dignified, orderly, and the service is very thorough.

Japan is one of the countries with the highest consumption in the world, and funeral expenses are a significant cost. Many Japanese people complain that traditional funeral ceremonies are complicated and expensive. Therefore, other industries have begun to enter the funeral business. Maruki Corporation's funeral home in Tokyo is a newly established funeral home that boldly innovates in funeral forms, removing cumbersome formalities and changing the traditional solemn atmosphere of funerals. It creates a warm and peaceful family atmosphere, allowing the deceased and their family to spend a few beautiful days together, comforting and blessing each other.