Manners of Funeral. In this page we are explaining the flow of ceremony of the funeral. Let’s study the manners and etiquette of funeral with us.

What is the Funeral?

In Japan, as a ceremony of farewell to the dead person, visil and funeral will be held. Most of the funeral in Japan will be held in Buddhist style. In this page, The remains (ashes) after being cremated, will be put in the grave at the day of “Shijukunichi (49 days after)”. I explain the flow and progression of the funeral.

The flow of funeral.

In Japan, the flow of the ceremony of funeral is as follows.
(1) Tsuya (keep vigil).
(2) Funeral.
(3) Cremation.
(4) Ceremony that returns bone.
(5) Shojin otoshi (the ceremony of the end of maigre days).
We exlpain the flow a little more in detail.

(1) Tsuya (keep vigil)

Tsuya is the last night that the soul of the dying person spends by this world.
1-1. At the entrance of the hall, those who attend a Tsuya should finish accepting.
1-2. All the members are seated when entering the hall.
1-3. Because the priest arrives, he is accepted in the hall.
1-4. The master of ceremonies declares open.
1-5. The priest recite a sutra.
1-6. Mourners offer incense.
1-7. The chief mourner greets those who attend a funeral.
1-8. The priest leaves the hall.
1-9. The master of ceremonies declares closing the ceremony.
1-10. The chief mourner will entertain guests by "Tsuya-furumai".
1-11. The bereaved family keeps burning the incense stick to accompany the soul of dead person all night.

(2) Funeral.

The funeral is a ceremony that says the goodbye to the dead.
2-1. At the entrance of the hall, those who attend a funeral should finish accepting.
2-2. All the members are seated when entering the hall.
2-3. Because the priest arrives, he is accepted in the hall.
2-4. The master of ceremonies declares open.
2-5. The priest recite a sutra.
2-6. Offering incense is done by the priest.
2-7. The representative of mourners send a message of condolence for the dead.
2-8. Mourners offer incense.

2-9. The master of ceremonies reads the telegram of condolence.

2-10. The master of ceremonies declares closing the ceremony.
2-11. The bereaved family says final good-byes at the deceased.
2-12. The chief mourner greets those who attend a funeral.
2-13. The lid of the coffin is closed, and the bereaved family goes out of the funeral hall with the coffin.

(3) Cremation.

Most remains are cremated in Japan.
3-1. The remains are carried to the crematory by the hearse.
3-2. The bereaved family waits until cremation ends according to the clerk in charge’s instruction.
3-3. When the cremation ends, the bereaved family accomodates the bone in the urn.

(4) Ceremony that returns bone

4-1. The bereaved family who returned from the crematory enters tha hall by cleanse themselves with salt and water.
4-2. The priest recite a sutra.
4-3. Mourners offer incense.
4-4. The chief mourner greets those who attend a funeral.

(5) Shojin otoshi (the ceremony of the end of maigre days)

5-1. The chief mourner entertain guests by "Shojin otoshi".
5-2. The chief mourner greets those who attend a Shojin otoshi.