| In this first of a two part series we're going to | | | | The body is then prepared for the service. Just prior, |
| discuss Japanese Buddhist funeral customs. | | | | it is put in dry ice at the mortuary, The next of kin |
| What most people don't realize, even those familiar | | | | then stay with the body until it is time for the |
| with Buddhism, is that Japanese Buddhist funeral | | | | service. People from the mortuary then come and |
| customs differ from region to region. There is no one | | | | place the body in the casket. One of the unusual |
| custom that encompasses all of Buddhism. Therefore, | | | | items put in the casket with the deceased is money |
| a generic description will not be possible. The religion | | | | to pay for the toll across the River of the 3 Hells. |
| of the deceased also plays a role in the burial | | | | This is of course symbolic. Also, any items that the |
| ceremony. Also the person's age and social status, as | | | | deceased was fond of during life are put in the |
| well as economic situation, affect how they are | | | | casket. The body is then placed in front of the main |
| buried. | | | | altar if the ceremony is to take place at the |
| Even though the services themselves are different | | | | mortuary hall. If the wake is to take place at home |
| based on the above factors, there are some | | | | then the body is placed in front of the family altar. |
| customs that are the same or similar throughout. | | | | The next step is to set the home up so that friends |
| What follows is a brief list of the common elements | | | | of the family can pay their respects. A table is usually |
| to a Buddhist funeral. | | | | set up at the entrance of the home or hall. A few |
| First there is the washing of the body. The body is | | | | people are usually stationed to greet the people who |
| washed at the hospital and then the body openings | | | | come to pay their respects. Each person signs his or |
| are stuffed with cotton. In ancient times the family | | | | her name in the registry book. The guests then |
| washed the body but now that is done by the | | | | present their condolence money, called koden. This is |
| hospital. The body is then dressed in a suit or kimono | | | | placed in a special envelope that has a thin black and |
| and a cosmetic specialist will apply makeup. From | | | | white ribbon wrapped around it. The amount depends |
| there the body is taken to the place where the | | | | on the relationship of the person to the deceased. |
| wake is to be held. | | | | The amount is written on the outside of the |
| Then there is choosing the arrangements for the | | | | envelope. Meanwhile, at the altar, incense is burned |
| service. The day is chosen as well as the type of | | | | and a cushion is placed so that guests can kneel in |
| alter that is to be used. Food that will be fed to the | | | | front of the alter and pay their respects. The visitor |
| guests is also decided on. Gifts are also chosen to | | | | then pays their respects to the family and then goes |
| give to those who come to the service. Of course a | | | | into another room where food is served. |
| casket is also chosen for the deceased to be buried | | | | In our last part of this series we'll continue with the |
| in. | | | | wake, the funeral and the cremation. |