New York State Funeral Directors Association
Similar to American culture, a traditional funeral in Japan consists of o-tsuya (the wake), followed by kokubetsu-shiki (the funeral).
Services may be held in the home, at a temple or funeral home, or at a local hall, with the body present.
Friends and relatives will visit and offer prayers and incense to the deceased, following the prayers and chanting of the Buddhist priest(s).
There are countless benefits to having family all around the globe, from being exposed to various cuisines at an early age to knowing that there is so much more out there than we can possibly fathom in our little communities.
The opportunity to venture out into the world and pay a visit is definitely one of the highlights.
Our most recent family trip came when my cousin announced he was going to be married in Tokyo, Japan.
The Fourth of July is typically a fun-filled day off of work that often entails fireworks, barbecues and American Flags.
But mostly hidden from this holiday’s promotion are thousands of people who died to make it happen – people for whom there is no national monument or memorial.
SympathyNotes is written to stimulate discussion of death and grief. Opinions do not reflect the views of NYSFDA.
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