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