BUDDHIST FUNERALS IN JAPAN

The traditional Japanese funeral, regardless of the decedent’s religion in life, is Buddhist. However, the Japanese Buddhist funereal rites are heavily informed (and arguably necessitated) by Japan’s ‘native’ religion, Shintō. By examining the rituals surrounding death, insight can be gained into Shintō outlooks on the living, family and community connections, the spiritual beings known as kami, and the afterlife. 
Nowadays, the Japanese funeral has modernized and undergone considerable changes and what were once deeply personal and religious practices have become increasingly commercialized. The change in folklore about death and dying can be seen in how practices have changed and adapted.