Technology has made our living easier, but what if we tell you it has also made post-death rituals easier too? Well, it seems like Japan, with the use of QR codes and cranes, will embrace a new take on cemeteries. Cremated remains are traditionally placed in family graves in Japan, which have been used for many generations and is cared for by the family’s eldest sons. However, families are increasingly relocating to urban regions far from family cemeteries, and many elderly people lack sons capable of carrying on the practice.
People in Japan are increasingly breaking with customs when it comes to burial and grieving, opting for contemporary cemeteries instead of family graveyards. Tomohiro Hirose, a resident monk at the Kuramae-ryoen institution, maintains a traditional cemetery with about 300 burials. Talking to AFP, he mentioned, “But about half of the graves no longer have anyone in the family to look after them.”
A newer approach for cemeteries and burial
To resolve the issue, a slew of modern, indoor cemeteries have sprung up. Each promises to hold ashes for a fixed amount of time, frequently up to three decades. Individual names or QR codes are inscribed on plaques to provide some customization. Monks promise to continue giving prayers for the souls of the dead. The cemetery uses machinery developed by Daifuku, a firm that produces storage, transport, and collection systems for factories and warehouses.
Modern cemetery locations are not only more handy but also less expensive. According to Kamakura Shinsho, an average plot costs around $7,100, roughly half the price of a regular cemetery. Other modern cemeteries aren’t large enough to require machines, but they do include some unique elements.
Buddha statues assigned to the dead
Located in Tokyo since 1630, the Kokokuji temple has taken this to another level. The temple displays Buddha statues assigned to each one buried. The statue associated with the person lights up when someone scans the QR code. The newer approach will not just be beneficial monetarily, but will also assist the family by taking care of the cemetery of their loved ones.