What to do if you need a funeral late at night or early in the morning in Omiya | How to contact someone if you are not confident in your Japanese

When a family member passes away at night or in the early morning, it's natural to feel overwhelmed by grief and shock, unsure of where to begin. If you're unsure about making a phone call in Japanese, don't worry about rushing into a perfect explanation. The important thing is to first convey the situation and then proceed to confirm the necessary details one step at a time.

When considering a funeral in Omiya, Omiya Ward of Saitama City, Urawa Ward of Saitama City, or Minuma Ward of Saitama City, the initial steps required will vary depending on the place of death, the current situation, and the preferred method of contact for the family. This article calmly organizes how to communicate when contacting a funeral service provider late at night or early in the morning, useful information to prepare, and points to confirm later regarding family funerals and cremations.

In the initial phone call, I only tell them "what's needed right now."

When contacting someone at night, you don't need to decide on the entire funeral arrangements on the spot. If you can't find the right words, just give a short message explaining the current situation. It's perfectly acceptable to say "I don't know" or "I'll check" if you're unsure about something.

Seikatsu Funeral Service Center offers 24-hour telephone consultations in Japanese. If speaking in Japanese is difficult, they also offer consultations in all languages via email. You can also have a family member or close friend make the phone call and another person draft and review the written message. Please choose the method that is easiest for you and contact them within your comfort zone.

I'll jot down information that can be conveyed briefly.

Before making a call, writing down the following information on a piece of paper or your smartphone will make it easier to communicate, even if you're in a hurry. It's okay if you don't have everything ready.

• The name of the deceased and the name of the person to contact.
• The place where they died, and whether they are currently in that place.
• Information provided by a hospital, facility, or home.
• Where your family is, or when you can gather together.
• There are languages other than Japanese that you would like to communicate in.
• Phone number and email address where you can receive a call back.

For example, you can start a consultation by simply saying, "A family member has passed away. I'm not very confident in my Japanese. What should I do now?", "I'd like to discuss transportation arrangements," or "I'd also like to receive explanations via email." If you have difficulty saying your address in Japanese, you can ask if you can have the address displayed on the screen read aloud or send it via email.

Please let us know in advance if you have any concerns about your Japanese language skills.

If you put off addressing language concerns, you risk agreeing to important information without fully understanding it. At the initial stage, say things like, "Please speak slowly," "Please use simple Japanese," or "I'd like to confirm this by email." Don't leave any words you don't understand unresolved; ask for their meaning.

Seikatsu Funeral Service Center provides information on interpretation and translation support, as well as consideration for religious and cultural sensitivities. However, the specific support available and whether individual arrangements can be made will vary depending on the situation. If you have a preferred language, situations requiring interpretation, or expressions or rituals you wish to avoid, it is best to consult with us early to confirm what we can accommodate.

I will rephrase what I have confirmed in my own words.

After receiving an explanation over the phone, it's helpful to ask, "Is my understanding correct?" and repeat the key points to confirm. In particular, make a note of the planned pick-up date, the place of repose, the time for the next contact, and any items you were told to bring. If possible, share this information with your family as well.

Translation apps can be useful for short messages and checking words. However, they can sometimes misinterpret proper nouns and specialized explanations. Don't rely solely on translations; clarify any unclear points with the person you're consulting, and ask if important matters can be confirmed in writing. This will help you proceed more calmly.

Things to confirm before deciding on transportation and placement of the body

Before the funeral, there is a time to consider where to take the deceased and how to care for them. While time may seem limited during late night and early morning hours, please do not make decisions without understanding the process; listen to the explanations. Even if you wish to have the body transported to your home, there are things to confirm depending on your housing situation and family circumstances.

When consulting, it's a good idea to ask about the destination and placement of the deceased, when the move is planned, whether visits are possible, and whether family members can communicate their wishes later. Seikatsu Funeral Service Center provides information on transportation and placement, but specific arrangements and conditions will vary depending on individual circumstances. If you have a wish, it's important to say "I'd like to check if it's possible" rather than making a definitive statement.

You may feel anxious if you receive documents from a hospital or other institution because you cannot read their contents. A death certificate and a post-mortem examination report are documents that medically and legally prove death. The doctor will decide which one to issue based on the medical circumstances. If you have any questions about the meaning of the documents or the next necessary notifications, please check with the relevant office or the place that provided you with the information.

We will discuss family funerals and cremations after clarifying our wishes.

It's perfectly normal not to be able to finalize the number of attendees or the format of the ceremony late at night. If you wish to say goodbye quietly with only family members, let the funeral home know that you prefer a private family funeral. However, the meaning of a family funeral varies from family to family. You can decide later with your family who to inform, how to handle visits, and whether or not to invite a religious figure.

Saitama City has a crematorium called Omiya Seien. The city's integrated crematorium/funeral hall reservation system is used by registered businesses and others for reservations, but the general public can also check the availability. However, in addition to making a reservation, preparations such as arranging a coffin and transportation are also necessary for cremation. Do not make a hasty decision based solely on availability; please consult with the appropriate party to confirm the necessary arrangements.

For those living in Urawa Ward or Minuma Ward of Saitama City, or those with family members living far away, the process should begin with arranging transportation and temporary storage of the deceased before considering dates for the ceremony and cremation. If you have any preferences regarding the region, venue, religion, or culture, please let us know your priorities. If you cannot answer something immediately, please ask if it is alright to discuss it with your family before responding.

Preparations to avoid bearing the burden alone at night

In unexpected situations, it can feel like you have to make hasty decisions. However, the first thing you need to do is to accurately convey the situation and confirm what to do next. Even if you are unsure about your Japanese, conveying that uncertainty itself is important information.

1. We will confirm your current location and the location where the death occurred.
2. I will inform the person I am consulting about the situation at night and in the early morning, as well as my concerns about the Japanese language.
3. Regarding transportation and placement of the body, we will now confirm the next steps and estimated timeframes.
4. I take notes on the explanation and ask for clarification on any words I don't understand.
5. We will communicate our wishes regarding family funerals, cremation, and religious/cultural matters as we organize them.

You don't have to understand and decide everything on your own immediately after losing a family member. If you need advice about funeral arrangements around Omiya, please choose a method of contact that is easy for you to communicate with and confirm what you need to know one step at a time. When consulting with Seikatsu Funeral Service Center, you can frankly communicate any language concerns or your family's circumstances, and proceed while confirming whether we can accommodate your needs and how to proceed.