| In this second of a two part series we're going to | | | | the deceased. In some sects a person who is not a |
| discuss Japanese Buddhist funeral customs continuing | | | | blood relative of the deceased, like a son in law, may |
| with the wake. | | | | be asked to stay with the deceased for the evening. |
| The next part of the Buddhist service is the wake. | | | | In other sects each next of kin takes turns staying |
| The service is presided over by a Priest. The Priest | | | | with the deceased. |
| arrives at the location of the wake and is given | | | | After the wake, the night before, is the funeral |
| green tea. At this time he speaks with the family to | | | | service itself the next day. At that time the body is |
| go over any last minute details. During this time the | | | | transported to the temple and placed in front of the |
| guests arrive and take their seats on the floor if at | | | | altar. A wooden tablet with the deceased name is |
| the home or in chairs if at a funeral home. | | | | placed in front of the altar. The name is assigned and |
| After everyone has arrived, the Priest turns to the | | | | inscribed by the Priest. It should be noted that the |
| altar, bows, lights incense and begins to read a sutra. | | | | name given by the Priest could be different from the |
| During this reading the Priest gives a signal to the | | | | name the person had in life. |
| family to rise and go to the incense urn. From there | | | | When it comes time to perform the service the |
| they bow, offer up some incense, bow again and | | | | Priest reads the sutra and part way through gives a |
| then return to their seats. After the family members | | | | signal to offer up the incense. This part of the |
| are finished doing this, the remainder of the guests | | | | service is the same as at the wake service, with |
| repeat the ritual until everyone has done so. The | | | | each person taking part. The Priest then finishes |
| Priest then finishes the sutra at which time everyone | | | | reading the sutra and the people bow as he leaves |
| bows at the altar and the wake service ends. | | | | the room. A representative of the family thanks the |
| Depending on the Buddhist sect that the members | | | | guests for coming after the Priest leaves. |
| belong to they may then chant a "mantra". This is | | | | After the people leave the casket is sealed. From |
| done in unison. | | | | there the body is taken to the crematorium where |
| Even after the wake service is over, guests will | | | | the body is cremated in what some consider a rather |
| continue to arrive in order to pay their respects. It is | | | | gruesome service where the body is partially burned, |
| customary and proper for all guests to either attend | | | | then taken out so that chop sticks can be placed |
| the wake service, the wake itself or the funeral, but | | | | with the body before cremation continues. After |
| not all three. The family then gives each guest a | | | | which, the bones, ashes and what's left of the chop |
| present to show them their gratitude for coming. | | | | sticks are placed in an urn and given to the family. |
| That night the family stays in the same room with | | | | |