What is a Shinto funeral like?
Table of Contents
The family gathers at the grave or crematorium. The body is cremated, and the remains go into a vase. The family buries some of these ashes in the grave, and others return home.
What do Shinto do when someone dies?
Most homes maintain a Buddhist altar and a Shinto shrine. When death occurs, the altar and shrine are closed and covered to keep the spirits of the dead out. A small table, decorated with simple flowers, incense and a candle is placed next to the bed of the deceased.
How do Japanese do funerals?
The majority of funerals (葬儀, sōgi or 葬式, sōshiki) in Japan include a wake, the cremation of the deceased, a burial in a family grave, and a periodic memorial service. According to 2007 statistics, 99.81% of deceased Japanese are cremated.
How do Japanese bury their dead?
In Japan, more than 99% of the dead are cremated. There are not many cemeteries where a body can be buried. While the law does not prohibit interment, plans to create a cemetery for interring the dead can face massive obstacles — most notably opposition from the local community.
Does Shintoism believe in afterlife?
The afterlife, and belief, are not major concerns in Shinto; the emphasis is on fitting into this world instead of preparing for the next, and on ritual and observance rather than on faith.
What color do you wear to a Japanese funeral?
Black
What to Wear. Black is the color of mourning in Japan. While in the recent years dark blue and dark gray is becoming more acceptable, black is still preferred over all other colors.
What do Japanese graves look like?
A typical Japanese grave is usually a family grave consisting of a stone monument with a place for flowers, a place for incense, water in front of the monument, and a chamber or crypt underneath for the ashes. You’ll often see sprigs of Japanese star anise in the vases.
Are Japanese funerals open casket?
Funeral Services in Japan When the funeral ends, the coffin is opened, and flowers from the arrangement are given to the family and guests to place in the coffin. In some traditions the coffin lid is nailed in place at this time. The coffin is then transferred to the crematorium accompanied by the mourners.
How do Japanese family graves work?
In Japan, the deceased are cremated and their ashes are placed inside stone gravestones dedicated to the family. Modern gravestones feature vertical columns made from black or grey stone with only names written on them. At the base of a gravestone you will find vases for flowers and an incense stand.
What is an Shinto funeral?
Shinto funerals are known as Sosai in Japanese. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the traditions, beliefs, and what to expect at this type of funeral.
How do I prepare for a Shinto funeral?
Proper preparation for a Shinto funeral is vital and there are at least 20 rituals that the deceased’s family must follow precisely. Shinto beliefs are simple but its ceremonies are complex affairs. Added to this, there is no leeway in a funeral ceremony for deviation from the ritual, such as including some form of personal touch.
What is a Japanese funeral like?
Almost nine out of ten Japanese funerals are conducted as a blend of Buddhist and Shinto traditions, a practice that both religions would see as complementary. Most homes maintain a Buddhist altar and a Shinto shrine.
What happens to the ashes in a Shinto funeral?
The Shinto tradition is very concerned with what happens to the ashes. Any bones that are left in any form are to be picked out of the ash material with chopsticks. One family member picks them out and passes them to another family member who in turn places them inside an urn.