Funeral Arrangements in Japan: A Guide for Expats
Losing someone in Japan can feel doubly overwhelming: you are grieving and also dealing with unfamiliar rules, paperwork and customs. This guide walks you through what happens, who to call, how funerals work, and how expats can plan ahead with confidence.
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Why Understanding Japanese Funerals Matters for Expats
Japan has one of the worldโs highest cremation rates and a very organized, ritual-rich approach to death and funerals. Almost all funerals involve cremation, and most ceremonies follow Buddhist-style customs, even if the family is not strongly religious.
For expats, this means:
- Legal procedures are clear but quite different from many home countries.
- There are strong expectations around etiquette, clothing, condolence money and behavior.
- Costs can be high and vary a lot depending on the type of funeral and region.
This article focuses on practical steps and simple explanations, so you can navigate a difficult time more calmly. It also connects to other Japan Handbook guides on health, housing and long-term planning for expats.
What Happens Immediately After a Death in Japan
The exact steps vary depending on whether the person dies in a hospital, at home or in an accident, but the core process is similar.
1. Medical confirmation of death
A doctor must confirm the death and issue a medical certificate of death.
- In a hospital, staff will coordinate this.
- At home, you usually call an ambulance or the personโs clinic; a doctor will come or the person may be taken to hospital.
The doctorโs certificate is needed for all later paperwork.
If the person has been hospitalized, you may find it helpful to review our related guide Hospital Admission in Japan: What Expats Should Prepare and Expect so you already know how hospitals work before a crisis happens.
2. Death notification to city hall (shibล todoke)
In Japan, a death must be officially registered at the local city / ward / town office. This is called shibล todoke (ๆญปไบกๅฑ).
- In many cities (for example, Yokohama), the notice must be submitted within 7 days of learning of the death.
- The form is usually completed by a family member, but a funeral director or other representative can help.
- You must bring the doctorโs certificate of death, and ID for the person submitting the form.
For an overview of city office procedures beyond funerals, see City Hall 101: Registering Your Address and Utilizing Local Services.
3. Cremation permit
Japan generally requires cremation or burial only after at least 24 hours have passed since death, except in special cases.
When the death is registered, the city hall issues a cremation permit (kasล kyoka shล). You give this to the crematorium via the funeral home. Without this permit, cremation cannot take place.
4. Choosing a funeral home
Most families contact a funeral home (sลgisha) very soon after the death. Many hospitals keep a list, and some funeral homes have 24/7 hotlines.
Funeral homes typically:
- Arrange collection and transfer of the body
- Help with city hall paperwork
- Reserve the wake hall, crematorium slot and priest (if needed)
- Provide packages that bundle venue, staff, altar, flowers, vehicle and basic catering
This is also when you decide between a large traditional service or a smaller โfamily funeralโ with limited guests, which has become popular for cost and privacy reasons.
Cremation, Burial and Repatriation Options
Cremation in Japan
Japan has one of the highest cremation rates in the world, and in many municipalities cremation is effectively the default; conventional coffin burials are rare and sometimes restricted.
Key points:
- Cremation takes place at a municipal or private crematorium.
- At the end, close family usually participate in kotsuage โ a ritual where they pick bone fragments from the ashes with long chopsticks and place them into the urn.
- Ashes are usually interred in a family grave, placed in a columbarium, or increasingly, scattered at sea or in designated areas.
Burial
Burial (without cremation) is possible in some areas, but:
- It is much less common.
- Cemetery plots are expensive, especially in big cities like Tokyo.
If you are interested in burial, the funeral home or temple can advise on local regulations and availability.
Repatriation to your home country
A foreigner who dies in Japan can:
- Be cremated in Japan, with the urn transported overseas, or
- Be embalmed and the body repatriated for burial in their home country.
Repatriation is complex and expensive. Your embassy or consulate can:
- Help locate next of kin
- Explain required documents and local rules
- Issue consular reports of death (for some countries)
For example, the U.S. Embassy in Japan explains its role in arranging transport of remains and documentation when a U.S. citizen dies in Japan.
If you are planning ahead, it is wise to record your wishes and share them with your family and trusted friends. Our related guide End-of-Life Planning in Japan: Hospices and Advance Directives for Expats can help you think through these decisions.
Main Stages of a Japanese Funeral
Modern funerals vary, but a typical schedule includes several stages.
Wake (otsuya)
The wake (otsuya) is usually held the evening before the main funeral.
Common features:
- Close family keep vigil with the deceased.
- A Buddhist priest chants sutras.
- Guests offer incense, bow to the family and say a few words.
Funeral ceremony (ososhiki / kokubetsushiki)
The main funeral ceremony, called ososhiki or kokubetsushiki, is often held the next day.
- There is more chanting and eulogies.
- The deceased may receive a posthumous Buddhist name (kaimyล) from the priest.
- Afterward, the coffin is taken to the crematorium.
Cremation and kotsuage
At the crematorium:
- The coffin is placed into the cremation chamber.
- After cremation, family members perform kotsuage โ transferring bones from the tray into the urn with chopsticks, often in a specific order (feet first, skull fragments last).
For many expats, this ritual can be emotionally intense and culturally unfamiliar. You may choose whether or not to participate; it is acceptable to quietly step back if you are uncomfortable.
Burial of ashes and memorial services
Later, the ashes are:
- Interred in a family grave or placed in a columbarium, or
- Scattered (if permitted) or kept at home temporarily.
Japanese families often hold memorial services on the 7th day, 49th day, 1-year, 3-year and other anniversaries. Participation expectations vary by family; follow the familyโs lead and ask a trusted friend or colleague if you are unsure.
Typical Funeral Costs in Japan
Japan used to be famous for having some of the highest funeral costs in the world, but smaller โfamily funeralsโ and direct cremations have brought average costs down somewhat.
Recent surveys show:
- A small-scale funeral with hall, basic catering, cremation and priest averages around ยฅ1.1โ1.3 million.
- Traditional multi-day funerals with many guests can exceed ยฅ2โ2.3 million.
- Cremation fees at Tokyo crematoriums range from around ยฅ0โ10,000 at some public facilities outside the 23 wards to ยฅ40,000โ75,000+ in the 23 wards or private crematoria. Recent discussion has focused on fees around ยฅ90,000 in Tokyo.
Example cost breakdown
| Item / service | Typical range (rough estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral home basic package | ยฅ400,000 โ ยฅ700,000 | Hall, staff, altar, hearse (varies widely) |
| Priest and religious services | ยฅ100,000 โ ยฅ300,000+ | Includes posthumous name in many Buddhist services |
| Cremation fee | ยฅ0 โ ยฅ90,000+ | Depends on municipality and residency status |
| Flowers and decoration | ยฅ50,000 โ ยฅ200,000 | Wreaths, altar flowers; guests sometimes send arrangements |
| Catering (wake and post-funeral) | ยฅ50,000 โ ยฅ200,000+ | Per-head cost multiplied by guests |
| Grave plot or columbarium | ยฅ500,000 โ ยฅ3,000,000+ | Especially high in central Tokyo cemeteries |
| Repatriation of remains | ยฅ500,000 โ ยฅ1,500,000+ | Highly variable; includes embalming, flight, permits |
These numbers are averages; your actual costs may be much lower or higher. Always ask the funeral home for a written estimate and do not be afraid to compare two or three providers.
If you are budgeting more broadly for life in Japan, our guides Cost of Living in Japan 2025 โ Expenses Breakdown and Utility Costs in Japan: What to Expect and How to Save on Bills can help you see how potential funeral savings fit into your wider finances.
Paperwork, Documents and Who to Contact
When someone dies in Japan, various people and institutions get involved. This table can help you keep track.
Key contacts and responsibilities
| Who | What they do | Examples of documents / tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor / hospital | Confirms death and issues medical certificate | Medical certificate of death |
| City / ward office | Registers death (shibล todoke), issues cremation permit | Death notification form, cremation permit |
| Funeral home | Guides family, handles logistics, books cremation and venues | Estimate, contract, schedule |
| Embassy / consulate | Supports foreign nationals, documentation for home country, repatriation | Consular report of death (some countries), translation help |
| Home country authorities | Require death certificate equivalent for inheritance, insurance, etc. | Multi-language death certificate, notarized translations |
| City welfare / pension office | Adjusts resident records, health insurance, pension status | Insurance and pension cancellation forms |
In Japan, there is not always a single โdeath certificateโ in the same format as some other countries; instead, a combination of documents (doctorโs certificate, death notification acceptance, cremation permit, etc.) may be required for overseas use, often with translation.
For practical tips on working with local government offices in everyday life, you may also find City Hall 101: Registering Your Address and Utilizing Local Services helpful.
If the Deceased Is a Foreigner
When a foreign resident, tourist or international student dies in Japan, the same Japanese legal process applies, but extra steps may be needed for the personโs home country.
Important points:
- Nationality does not prevent cremation in Japan; foreigners can be cremated here or repatriated.
- Funeral homes familiar with international cases can arrange English support and translations.
- Embassies may help arrange:
- Notifying next of kin
- Coordinating with funeral homes
- Confirming local and home-country requirements for documents
The article โWhat happens if a foreigner dies in Japan?โ gives a useful overview of the legal framework, required documents and options for funeral arrangements and repatriation.
If the deceased had Japanese health insurance or pension, the family or executor will also need to handle cancellations and potential refunds. Our guide Understanding Japanese Medical Bills and Insurance Claims can support you with the insurance side.
Japanese Funeral Etiquette for Expats
Even if you are not the one arranging the funeral, you may attend as a friend, colleague or neighbor. Knowing the basics of Japanese funeral etiquette will help you show respect without stress.
Clothing
- Wear a black suit (men and women), white shirt and black tie or modest blouse.
- Avoid shiny accessories, loud colors or strong perfume.
If you are unsure what to pack when moving to Japan, our article Ultimate Expat Housing Guide in Japan โ Renting, Bills, and Beyond includes a short section on essential clothing for formal events.
Condolence money (kลden)
Instead of flowers, guests usually give condolence money (kลden) in special black-and-white or silver-and-white envelopes.
- Amount depends on your relationship; colleagues might give ยฅ5,000โ10,000, close friends or relatives more.
- Insert crisp, clean bills, and avoid certain โunluckyโ numbers in some contexts.
- Your workplace may coordinate a group envelope.
What to say
Common simple phrases include:
- ใใๆๅทๆงใงใใ (go-shลซshล-sama desu) โ โMy deepest condolences.โ
- ใใใฎๅบฆใฏใๆใใฟ็ณใไธใใพใใ (kono tabi wa o-kuyami mลshiagemasu) โ โI offer my sincere condolences.โ
If you are not confident in Japanese, a gentle English sentence like โI am very sorry for your lossโ plus a quiet bow is perfectly acceptable. For more language support, see Communicating with Doctors: Language Tips for Non-Japanese Speakers and Learning Japanese: Top 10 Apps and Resources for Expats.
Behavior at the altar
The exact steps depend on the sect and family, but usually:
- Step forward when it is your turn.
- Bow to the family.
- Offer incense (pinch a small amount of powdered incense and raise it slightly before placing it; follow the staff memberโs example).
- Join your hands briefly in silent prayer.
- Bow again and return to your seat.
If you are unsure, watch others in your group and quietly copy their actions.
Planning Ahead as an Expat in Japan
Talking about funerals while you are healthy can feel uncomfortable, but planning ahead reduces stress for your loved ones and helps ensure your wishes are respected.
Here are practical steps you can take now:
- Write a simple โin case of emergencyโ document
- Who should be contacted first in Japan and back home
- Preference for cremation in Japan, burial in Japan, or repatriation
- Any religious requests (priest, pastor, imam, non-religious ceremony, etc.)
- Check your health and life insurance
- Does it cover funeral or repatriation costs?
- Who is the beneficiary?
For broader financial planning, see Life Insurance and Pension Options for Expats in Japan and Financial Planning for Expats in Japan: Saving and Investing for Retirement.
- Talk with your spouse, partner or close friend
- Make sure someone you trust knows your preferences and where important documents are kept.
- Understand your housing situation
- If you live in a small apartment, family may need space for guests or a temporary altar.
- It can help to know your buildingโs rules about visitors and late-night gatherings in advance.
Our guides Types of Housing in Japan: Mansion vs Apartment vs House Explained and Getting Along with Neighbors: Noise and Etiquette in Japanese Apartments offer helpful context.
- Think about emotional support
- Grief in a foreign country can feel isolating.
- Encourage your loved ones (and yourself) to use resources such as Mental Health Support in Japan: Expat Support Groups & Hotlines or Teletherapy in Japan: Online Counseling Options for Expats.
End-of-life planning overlaps with healthcare choices, housing decisions and financial preparation. For a more holistic view, you may also want to read End-of-Life Planning in Japan: Hospices and Advance Directives for Expats.
FAQs about Funerals in Japan for Expats
Are foreigners allowed to have a โJapanese-styleโ funeral?
Yes. Funeral homes can arrange Buddhist-style or non-religious ceremonies for foreigners, and many are experienced with mixed international families. The legal process is essentially the same, regardless of nationality.
Can we skip the wake and have only a simple cremation?
Yes. Many families now choose direct cremation or a very small family-only service to reduce cost and stress. This trend toward simpler funerals has helped bring average funeral costs down in Japan.
How long does the whole process take?
It varies, but from death to cremation:
- Completing paperwork and getting a cremation permit usually takes 1โ2 days, depending on timing and city hall hours.
- Wake and funeral often happen over two consecutive days, with cremation on the second day.
Full arrangements, including memorial services and grave interment, can stretch over weeks or months, especially if relatives must travel.
What if I cannot attend the funeral in person?
If you are overseas or far away:
- You can send condolence money or flowers through the funeral home.
- You may join an online stream if the family sets one up (now common after the pandemic).
- A quiet memorial at home โ lighting incense or a candle โ is also meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Funeral arrangements in Japan combine clear legal steps, deep cultural traditions and strong social expectations. For expats, it may feel like a maze at first, but you do not have to walk it alone:
- City hall staff, funeral homes and embassies can all help with procedures.
- Friends, colleagues and community groups can guide you through etiquette and emotional support.
- Planning ahead โ even in simple, small ways โ can greatly ease the burden on your loved ones.
By understanding how funerals work in Japan and what choices you have, you can focus more on honoring the person who has passed and less on worrying about making a mistake in an unfamiliar system.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
