Do It Yourself Funeral Kit
Funerals are probably expensive no matter where you live. In Japan, one company is making it less expensive for those who plan ahead. The Nagoya funerary services company, Tsubasa, is now selling its Do It Yourself Funeral Set. The set includes a wooden coffin, with window to show the deceased's face, pillow, mattress, blanket, as well as an urn for ashes, a silver-accented box to hold the bones left after cremation, and three furoshiki wrapping cloths. The kit also comes with a handbook to explain how to perform the ceremony rites. (Probably only in Japanese language).
The cost is 25,800 yen which is about US$240. (The average price of a funeral in Japan is around 2 million yen.) The price of the kit does not include the services of a licensed crematorium. The DIY funeral kit is actually a someone-else-DIY kit because once you are in the position to need it, you can no longer do it yourself.
What do you think? Would you buy the kit to save a lot of money?
8 comments:
I wonder how popular that will be? Funerals are certainly expensive. My cousin and I were having this conversation as my aunt passed away in December and he was so surprised how much the cost had risen in recent years.
Sounds like a good idea. Funerals here are very expensive too. Some people get cremated, no funeral and scatter the ashes. I am told you can get cardboard coffins here to be cremated in.
The thinking around funerals has changed a lot recently in Japan. People who live alone and will not be placed in a family grave can opt to find a 'haka-tomo', a grave friend. There are groups of people who first meet on the internet, then in reality and together they buy a plot where they all can rest. They have social gatherings and enjoy their friendship, both before and after death.
For the funeral rite itself, there have been many changes, too. Now flowers are displayed in a gorgeous way and wood carved decorations have become unusual.
No, I would not buy the kit, but will ask my relatives to use economy when they plan my funeral.
Amazing concept! And a great idea if you have people who will be comfortable handling your body etc. Most people would probably prefer to leave all that stuff to professional funeral directors.
Some funerals are very expensive. My husband and I have discussed our funerals and hopefully won’t have to think about them for many years.
What an interesting idea! I think it's good to plan ahead a little, but I don't think I'd go as far as buying a casket while still alive!
I read a bit about Japanese funerals and how the thoughts/feelings towards funerals and dead bodies in general have changed in the last few decades. Have you ever been to a funeral in Japan?
That's pretty interesting. Even cremation is expensive. I've always thought cremation and then a party. With Christmas decorations. You think I'm kidding. I'm not. Fun music. Good food. A party I'll be sorry I missed. And that would be much more fun than a regular funeral for everyone!
Interesting. There is a 2009 film, titled “Departures“ in English, that I would recommend. It is an unlikely comedy plus touching story combo.
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