I want to hold a funeral in Koshigaya City using both Japanese and my native language | Preparation of the master of ceremonies, eulogies, and order of service

It is natural to want to respect the background of the deceased and their family when saying goodbye to a loved one at a funeral. When preparing for a funeral in Koshigaya City, some people wish to use not only Japanese but also their native language, and to convey their feelings to relatives living overseas.

On the other hand, the short preparation period can bring many uncertainties, such as what to prepare in two languages and to what extent, how to communicate this to the master of ceremonies, and what to do if the person reading the eulogy feels unsure about their Japanese. It's not necessary to translate everything perfectly. It's important to consider the composition of the attendees and the feelings the family most wants to convey, and choose words within reasonable limits.

The first thing you need to decide is who you want to communicate with and what you want to communicate.

When using two languages, it's easier to prepare by considering what needs to be communicated in each situation, rather than simply adding more languages. For example, you could communicate the details fully in the bereaved family and close relatives in their native language, and then provide guidance in Japanese so that Japanese attendees can understand the proceedings.

First, please discuss the following points with your family.

• Are there any wishes of the deceased, or any words that the family cherishes?
• Which language do the main attendees understand more, Japanese or their native language?
• When is it necessary to communicate in both Japanese and one's native language?
• Are there any prayers, greetings, or songs you would like to perform only in your native language?
• What is the scope of services that can be requested for interpretation or translation, and what is the extent of what can be confirmed within the family?

Until the details are finalized, it's reassuring to inform the funeral home as early as possible of your preference to use both Japanese and your native language. Seikatsu Funeral Service Center provides information on interpretation and translation support, as well as consideration for religion and culture. Since the specific feasibility and preparation methods vary depending on your circumstances and language, please consult with us individually to confirm.

The MC should consider "messages for facilitating the proceedings" and "expressions of emotion" separately.

The master of ceremonies has the role of ensuring the ceremony proceeds smoothly, including guiding attendees through the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as providing instructions for offering flowers and incense. On the other hand, the words used to introduce the deceased and convey the feelings of the family need to be delivered in a way that resonates with the audience. It is not necessary to speak both of these things equally in both languages.

For the announcements, you can either use Japanese as the base language and supplement it with the participant's native language as needed, or use a combination of short Japanese and native language announcements. For example, it's helpful to briefly explain what will happen next, where to move to, and any requests for cooperation from attendees in both languages.

When addressing the deceased or sharing memories, it is perfectly acceptable to focus on the language that best expresses your feelings. In the other language, you can present the main points rather than the entire text. Since long consecutive interpretations can prolong the entire ceremony and make it difficult for attendees to maintain their concentration, it is important to choose which words to convey in their original form.

I will put all the notes to give to the host onto one sheet of paper.

When asking someone to be the master of ceremonies, it's helpful to not only verbally express your wishes at the last minute, but also to summarize them in a short memo to reduce misunderstandings. It doesn't need to be in complex language. It's helpful to include the pronunciation of the deceased's name, the names and how to address relatives, the language to be used, and any words you want to avoid mispronouncing.

• Situations where Japanese and one's native language are used
• Names and place names that require attention to pronunciation in one's native language
• What kind of background and personality of the deceased can be shared?
• Expressions to omit, progressions to avoid
• Information needed before and after eulogies, prayers, music, etc.
• Family members who will be the point of contact for confirmation during the ceremony

Sometimes, pronunciation is difficult to convey using only the written form in one's native language. If possible, adding the pronunciation in katakana or Roman letters so that family members can check it beforehand will help them feel more at ease on the day itself.

You can also choose to "respect the original text and add a summary" when writing a eulogy.

A eulogy is a precious time to put into words your relationship with the deceased and your memories of them. Reading it in your native language can sometimes lead to deeper emotions than forcing a rephrasing. When reading a eulogy in your native language, you can consider distributing a Japanese summary in advance to attendees who understand Japanese, or having the master of ceremonies introduce the main points.

Conversely, you can also add a short greeting or words of gratitude in your native language to a eulogy in Japanese. The important thing is not to deliver the same length of message to everyone, but to convey who the message is from and to whom.

For those preparing a eulogy, it's recommended to start by listing the events you want to convey. Arranging them in the order of meeting, what you received from the deceased, unforgettable moments, gratitude, and farewell will make it easier to organize the text. Unique idiomatic expressions and poetic language may change in meaning if translated literally. When translating, it's important to ensure that the meaning is conveyed rather than simply replacing words one-to-one.

The order of the ceremony will be arranged so that attendees can understand what is happening.

The order of service is a guide to share the flow of the day. When providing it in two languages, a concise structure that clearly indicates the time, order, and what will be done is easier to read than a long, parallel explanation of everything. Items such as the opening, introduction of the deceased, eulogies, prayers or moments of silence, offering of flowers or incense, and closing are arranged in accordance with the actual proceedings.

While incense burning is common at Japanese funerals, depending on religion, culture, and the family's wishes, they may choose to offer flowers, observe a moment of silence, or bid farewell in a different way. To avoid confusion among attendees, it's best to provide brief instructions on how to participate and show consideration by not pressuring anyone to attend if they feel pressured. Even if cremation is planned, it's important to share information about who can attend and how to gather in clear language beforehand.

Relatives and acquaintances may attend not only from Koshigaya City, but also from Soka City and Yoshikawa City. When providing directions for travel and meeting up, do not rely solely on addresses; clearly indicate the meeting time, the name of the meeting place, and who to contact for confirmation. For attendees who are not confident with language, designating one family member to act as a liaison will make it easier for them to find someone to ask questions on the day.

In a family funeral, the invitation to attend is written with extra care and attention.

When choosing a family funeral, the intention is usually to spend time quietly with those closest to the deceased. Organizing instructions in both Japanese and your native language for who to invite, who to inform after the service, and who to ask to refrain from attending will help avoid unexpected misunderstandings.

When sending an invitation, be sure to convey your wishes regarding the scale of the ceremony and attendance while respecting your relationship with the recipient. When translating, it's important to check the context and nuances, not just the short phrases themselves. In some cultures, it's natural for those who hear of the death to gather immediately. Share your family's wishes as early as possible and ask relatives or close friends to help explain the situation if necessary.

Final confirmation to reduce the burden on the day.

The day of the funeral is a time when families often face many difficult decisions. It's reassuring to have a brief confirmation meeting the day before the service with the master of ceremonies, the person delivering the eulogy, the interpreter/explainer, and the family liaison. Also, decide who will inform the master of ceremonies if any changes occur.

1. Confirm the situations in which bilingual guidance will be provided and which language will be the primary one.
2. Read aloud your name, relationship to the person, and pronunciation in your native language.
3. Confirm the order of eulogies, the approximate length, and whether or not a summary is required.
4. Check how to participate in activities such as offering incense, flowers, and prayer.
5. Organize the instructions for those accompanying the deceased to the cremation and those remaining at the funeral hall.
6. Designate a family member to communicate questions or changes.

A funeral conducted in two languages is not about adding formality. It is about respecting the deceased's individuality and preparing so that family and attendees can express their farewells in their own language. Don't try to decide everything at once; start by consulting with us about the aspects that are most important to you. Seikatsu Funeral Service Center offers consultations in Japanese as well as email consultations in all languages. Tell us your family's situation and your language preferences, and let's work together to create a farewell that is comfortable for you.