Challenges from an Aging Society
In Japan, the number of deaths has hit a record high since records began in 1899. Last year, over 1.5 million people passed away, and this number is expected to keep going up. Estimates for 2040 suggest deaths could reach up to 2 million.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare data show a 9% increase in deaths in 2022 compared to the previous year, a 150% rise over the past two decades. Cancer is the leading cause of death, claiming nearly 400,000 lives, followed by heart disease, dementia, stroke, pulmonary edema, and COVID-19.
Today, funeral business owners, especially municipalities, are trying to deal with this situation. Families mourning loved ones often have to wait nearly two weeks for funerals, causing a lot of stress.
One woman from Kanagawa Prefecture faced delays in funeral arrangements after her 94-year-old grandmother passed away in February. Despite her plan for a simple gathering, the earliest available date was 14 days later.
The funeral company charged her up to ¥15,000 per day for funeral storage. Even though she tried another funeral home, it didn’t save her much money.
In Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, funeral cabinet orders increased fivefold compared to 2019. Tatsumi Koyama, a funeral business owner, expects growing demand for funeral venues and homes in 2023.
Many municipalities are trying to increase funeral venue capacity through renovations or building new funeral homes. Yokohama City alone has held funeral ceremonies for up to 35,000 bodies, with an average waiting period of seven days.
Traditionally, beliefs in supernatural powers caused delays in funeral proceedings, but now municipalities are encouraging cremations even on auspicious days like Totomobiki.
Plans for new funeral facilities are underway in various places, but building delays due to land ownership issues are common. Itaru Takegawa, the director of the funeral association, aims to change people’s adherence to ancient customs.
Demographic and social security research institutes predict that deaths will remain high, surpassing 2 million per year until 2070 due to the aging population.
Midori Kotani, an expert in end-of-life preparations, emphasizes the importance of families discussing how they want to conclude their lives, including informing people outside the family.
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