Funeral Etiquette in Japan

The officiating priest bestows a kaimyō expressing the deceased’s personality or achievements. This kaimyō is used on the ihai memorial tablet (center) and the gravestone. (© Pixta)

The family accompanies the body to the crematorium after the farewell ceremony. (© Pixta)

Neckties and stockings should be black. (© Pixta)

Present the kōden to the receptionists when signing the condolence book. (© Pixta)

Write your name on the lower part of the envelope in light black ink, using a fudepen pre-inked brush-pen. (© Pixta)

The chief mourner wears a rosette for identification. (© Pixta)

The altar for incense-burning is placed in front of the casket and the memorial photograph. (© Pixta)

The incense burner. (© Pixta)

Illustration by Satō Tadashi

The custom is to offer a light meal after the wake, but is it increasingly common nowadays to also invite mourners to a meal after the farewell ceremony. (© Pixta)

The gift is usually confectionery, nori, or some other consumable, selected “so that sadness does not linger.” (© Pixta)