What to do if a family member dies at a hospital in Kawagoe City | Body transport and funeral arrangements for foreigners

When a family member passes away at a hospital in Kawagoe City, you may be faced with a lot of questions to answer in a short amount of time amidst your deep grief. You may feel anxious about things like whether you can fully understand the explanations in Japanese, where to arrange for the body to be transported, and how to inform relatives overseas. First of all, don't try to decide everything on your own. Take notes of the information provided by the hospital and share the situation with trusted family members or friends.

Seikatsu Funeral Service Center provides information on transportation and placement of the deceased, interpretation and translation support, and consideration for religious and cultural needs. Telephone support is in Japanese, but email inquiries can be made in any language. If you are uncomfortable speaking in Japanese, you can summarize the situation in an email to the best of your ability, or ask a Japanese-speaking acquaintance to help with communication.

Things to sort out first when going to the hospital

After a death occurs in a hospital, there is a need to decide where to move the deceased. Since the body may not remain in the hospital for long, it is necessary to contact a funeral home to discuss the transportation and placement of the body. There is no need to rush the decision, but the time to consider your preferences for the destination may be limited. When you receive an explanation from the hospital staff, it is helpful to make a note of any unfamiliar terms or contact information so that you can refer to them later.

• Name of the deceased and any other known information such as date of birth.
• Hospital name and information regarding transportation provided by the hospital.
• Names and languages of family members/relatives you can contact.
• Do you wish to keep the body at home, or should you consider using a mortuary facility?
• Are there any religious or cultural preferences you would like to communicate in advance?

You can start a consultation even if you don't have all the information. It's perfectly fine to be frank and say things like, "I haven't decided anything yet," or "I don't know the procedures in Japan." When receiving explanations, don't leave any words you didn't understand unresolved; ask for them to be written down in short sentences or explained slowly, or use other methods that make it easier to understand.

If a family representative cannot be immediately designated, it is helpful to record separately the information provided by the hospital, the relatives awaiting contact, and the preferred place of repose. Information heard verbally may be forgotten due to grief and exhaustion. Sharing confirmed and undecided information in a family group chat will make it easier for family members living far away to understand the situation.

Considerations before choosing a place to transport and keep the body.

The transportation of the deceased's body is an important arrangement for taking them from the hospital to a place of repose. Options for the place of repose include your home or facilities recommended by the funeral home. We will discuss these options while considering your living situation, a convenient location for family members to gather, and the schedules of those who wish to visit.

If you are considering keeping the deceased at home, be sure to check the transportation route, the condition of the room, and the feelings of those living with the deceased. If you are using a mortuary, ask about the possibility and timing of visits, and what preparations are necessary, as this will make it easier to plan for the future. There is no single right way to spend time with the deceased. It is important not to take on too much burden and to choose a method that is comfortable for your family.

When considering a place to lay the deceased to rest, it's reassuring to also plan how to contact relatives who live overseas or far away. If you're unsure about sending photos or detailed information, confirm with your family who will share what information. It's important to calmly share necessary information while respecting the dignity of the deceased and how each person will cope.

Should we have a family funeral, or focus on cremation?

Japanese funerals come in many forms. Some choose a family funeral, primarily attended by close relatives, while others opt for a smaller ceremony, focusing on the process leading up to cremation. The best approach depends on the deceased's wishes, the family's religious and cultural background, and the number of attendees and their travel arrangements.

Since relatives living overseas may not be able to come to Japan immediately, it's a good idea to discuss the order and method of notification as early as possible. However, there's no need to rush to get everyone to agree. First, have close family members decide how they want to say goodbye to the deceased and who they want to contact. Then, communicate your wishes and concerns to the funeral home and confirm the available options.

The term "family funeral" might give the impression that the range of attendees is already predetermined. However, the actual decision of who to inform and how to create an opportunity for farewells should be made according to the family's circumstances. Even if there are relatives who cannot attend in person, first confirm the funeral schedule and discuss a way to contact them that is convenient for them.

If you encounter unfamiliar terms or procedures, it's important not to make a decision on the spot. Instead, say something like, "I'd like to confirm this in writing," or "I'd like to consult with my family before giving you an answer."

Concretely conveying hopes for language and culture

For foreign families, the terminology surrounding Japanese funerals can be difficult to understand. During the consultation, be sure to confirm not only the technical terms but also the purpose of each preparation. While it may be possible to discuss interpretation and translation support, it is necessary to confirm the specific services and methods available on a case-by-case basis.

Furthermore, please share any cultural preferences that the deceased or their family cherishes, such as prayer times, music, clothing, meals, and visiting arrangements, as early as possible. While it may not be possible to fulfill all wishes exactly, sharing them allows us to work together to determine what can be adjusted and what needs to be confirmed. Regarding religion, it is reassuring to respectfully convey the beliefs of the deceased and their family without making assumptions.

To convey your wishes, you can prepare a short memo in your native language and, if possible, add supplementary information in Japanese. For example, making a bulleted list of things you want to avoid, things you definitely want to discuss with your family, and things the deceased cherished can help reduce the chances of forgetting to communicate something during the meeting. If you are unsure about the content, you can present it as a "wish you would like to confirm" rather than a conclusion.

When coordinating with family members outside of Kawagoe City

If your family members live not only in Kawagoe City but also in neighboring cities such as Ageo or Saitama, dividing the responsibility of who will contact the hospital and who will contact relatives can reduce confusion. It is important not to concentrate all the responsibilities on one person, as some people may have travel, work, or childcare responsibilities.

1. Note down the explanations you received from the hospital and any points that need to be confirmed.
2. We will discuss the transportation and storage of the body, and share the decided details with the family.
3. Organize the deceased's wishes, religious and cultural considerations, and the relatives you wish to contact.
4. Confirm the type of funeral, including a family funeral, and the schedule up to the cremation.
5. Ask questions about the content and costs, one by one, to clarify anything you don't understand.

When communicating with family members who live far away, it's important not to make assumptions about their plans. Separating the information into what has been confirmed regarding the destination of transport and visits, and what needs to be discussed regarding cremation and funeral arrangements, will make it easier for the recipient to make decisions. For relatives in different time zones, it's a good idea for the family to consider whether to ask for an immediate response or to prioritize simply informing them first.

In times of grief, making decisions can be a great burden. It's important to distinguish between things that need to be decided immediately and things that can be decided after discussion. Seikatsu Funeral Service Center guides families who feel anxious about language and cultural differences, allowing them to proceed with preparations while confirming the situation. Respecting your feelings for the deceased and your family's circumstances, and calmly taking things one step at a time, will lead to a meaningful farewell.