Funerals
1. Funerals in Japan.
In Japan, most funerals are done with Buddhist way unless people have strong faith in other religions. This is not because Japanese are Buddhists, this is because it is what people do in Japan. Strange, right?
Life of Japanese may seem strange to oversea because their lives consisting mixture of cultures; christmas, valentine's day, halloween, and Japanese ceremonial events. Such odd mixture has started after WW2. (This would be a whole different topic, so let me skip on that.)
What I'm trying to say here is that ceremonials of Japan doesn't necessarily be based on their faith. Then, why Japanese people mourn death in Buddhist way?
There must be many explanations, but one I think most convincing is prohibiting Christianity in 1600. The government back then prohibited Christianity to maintain their governance. They didn't just knock on doors and said "Hey, no Christ!", they ordered people to tread on a tablet with the image of Christ or the Virgin Mary to prove themselves non-Christians. People who failed to do so, even showed a little hesitation were executed. (This is called: Fumie.)
So, people needed to make sure, to stay alive, asked temples to issue certification of temple parishioner. And it has passed onto Japanese family where people hold a funeral in Buddhist style.
There are also certain numbers of people who believe in Shinto. Some says 80% of population are Shinto followers. Anyhow, most Japanese belong to both the Shinto and Buddhist faiths and usually conduct their funerals with Shinto or Buddhist rites without belonging to an institutional religion.
2. Cremations.
Over 99% of population choose cremation rather than burial. This is due to founder of Buddhism, the Buddha was cremated in 7th century, and of course, sanitation problem and lack of space.
A coffin is placed on a tray at the crematorium with family witness and slide it into the cremation chamber. About 2 hours later, the family pick the bones from ashes and put them into the urn using large chopsticks or metal picks. The bones are picked in order from feet to head. This is because the deceased is not upside down in the urn.
3. Clothes to wear.
Normally people wear black mourning clothing, some wear suits, and some wear kimono with family crest.
>Men
Choose simple white shirt.
Black tie and single color.
Black socks.
Black suits.
No flashy accessaries and watches.
>Women
Tie up the hair.
Except for wedding ring, no accessaries. (Single white pearl neckless is OK.)
No manicures.
Long sleeve jacket and long skirt.
Black stockings.
Shoes and bag should be leather and black.
4. How much money to offer.
Normally ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 ($44 to $88). The money is enclosed in a special envelope in subdued colors. And should only give old bills.
5. Cost of funerals.
People spend about ¥1,300,000 to ¥2,000,000 ($11,500 to $18,000) for 200 attendees.
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