Transporting a body from Saitama City to one's home country | Comparison points when deciding between cremation in Japan and other options

When a family member passes away in Saitama City, people often find themselves torn between the desire to take the deceased to their home country for a farewell and the practical considerations of whether cremation in Japan would be more appropriate. This is a situation where many factors come into play, including the wishes of relatives living far away, the deceased's cherished culture and beliefs, the time required for the procedures, and the residences of those who wish to attend.

Neither option is necessarily right or wrong. The important thing is not to rush to a conclusion, but to separate and organize the necessary confirmations for transporting the body back to the home country and for the funeral and cremation in Japan. Share your family's feelings, confirm with the relevant offices and receiving facilities, and then choose a way to say goodbye that is fitting for the deceased.

First, let's put into words "who will see them off, where, and how."

Before considering transportation methods, it's helpful for families to discuss where they want to place the focus of their farewell. This will help clarify the criteria for making decisions. Confirm each point: are there many people who lived with the deceased in Japan, or are there many close relatives waiting in their home country? What place did the deceased wish to return to? Even if you can't immediately agree, it's important to write down your wishes without dismissing them.

• The deceased's wishes regarding their return to Japan and funeral arrangements, as expressed during their lifetime.
• Relatives and friends in both Japan and their home country who wish to see them off.
• Religious and cultural requirements, including any rituals, clothing, or placement preferences that you would like to confirm in advance.
• The roles families can play regarding the transportation, storage, funeral service, and cremation of the deceased.
• Matters that need to be confirmed with the embassy/consulate in Japan, the receiving organization, the airline, etc.

Customs and religious rituals of a foreigner's home country are handled differently depending on the country, region, religious figures, and host facilities. It is necessary to individually confirm whether the desired arrangements can be made in Japan and whether there are any necessary conditions for acceptance in the home country. Instead of assuming that everything is possible simply because it's for a foreigner, it's best to prepare to inquire with relevant parties early on.

Things to check when considering repatriation to your home country

When transporting a deceased person's body overseas, procedures not only within Japan but also in the destination country, including acceptance requirements and air transport arrangements, are necessary. Required documents, document formatting, whether translation/certification is required, and handling of coffins and packaging may vary depending on nationality and destination. Since the necessary procedures are not uniform, be sure to check with the embassy/consulate, airline, and receiving facility in the home country, and record the information they provide.

In Saitama City, there is a guideline that a death notification should be submitted within 7 days of learning of the death, along with a doctor's death certificate or autopsy report. For foreign nationals, it is important to check with the relevant office or embassy regarding nationality, name notation, and notification to their home country. It is also a good idea for family members to keep track of what documents were submitted to whom, as originals and copies may be needed later.

Even if you choose to have your loved one transported overseas, it is possible to arrange a time to say goodbye in Japan. However, the place of repose, the transport schedule, religious ceremonies, and whether or not visits are permitted will vary depending on the facility and arrangements. It is important to communicate your wishes and then receive guidance on what can be done and what needs to be confirmed.

Items that families should organize when considering overseas repatriation.

1. In which region of their home country, and who will handle the reception and funeral arrangements?
2. Documents and notifications to confirm with the embassy/consulate
3. Transportation conditions and schedules provided by the airline and receiving party.
4. Would you like to arrange an opportunity to visit, pray for, or say goodbye in Japan?
5. How to share information with family members acting as liaisons and with relatives overseas.

When information spans multiple languages, it's helpful to save the original text as is, rather than trying to guess the meaning of unfamiliar expressions. Also, check with each recipient regarding whether an interpreter is needed and which documents should be prepared in which language.

When cremation is performed in Japan and arrangements are made for the farewell ceremony.

Choosing cremation in Japan can be advantageous because it allows family and friends who are close to the deceased to easily gather, and the procedures can be handled within Japan. For those who wish to have a small-scale farewell, a family funeral centered around close relatives is an option. However, the number of attendees and the content of a family funeral are not fixed. It is important to discuss in advance who you want to inform of the opportunity to say goodbye and how you want to share your feelings with relatives in your home country.

The cremation permit requires the name of the crematorium to be included, so Saitama City's guidelines state that a reservation at the crematorium is necessary. The place where the funeral service is held and the place where the cremation takes place are not necessarily the same. For example, Saitama City Hikari Kaikan is a funeral facility, but the guidelines state that cremation should be performed at Urawa Crematorium or Omiya Seien. For eligibility requirements, availability, and usage procedures, please check with each facility directly.

Some families wish to take the cremated remains back to their home country after cremation in Japan. In this case, the regulations of the destination country/region, the procedures of the airline, and the required documents vary. Confirmation is not unnecessary after cremation, so please check with the embassy/consulate, airline, and receiving facility before traveling.

It's not just "location" that we're comparing.

When comparing transporting the body back to the home country versus cremation in Japan, making a decision based solely on whether or not there is transportation may leave lingering concerns. It is important to consider how you want to say goodbye to the deceased, how distant relatives want to be involved, and how to address their wishes regarding the rituals. While there are procedures that require a quick decision, there is no need to rush into unifying the feelings of the family.

• Transport to the home countryWhile prioritizing the wishes of relatives who prefer to hold the funeral and burial locally, we also proceed with confirming details regarding Japan, the destination, and transportation in parallel.
• Cremation in JapanWhile it may be easier to say goodbye and handle the procedures within the country, you will need to consider things like booking a crematorium and how to contact and arrange for relatives in your home country to attend.
• Family funeral in Japan and return home after cremationThis can be one way to remember the deceased in both Japan and their home country, but the conditions for transporting the remains must be confirmed in advance.

Families living in Ageo City or Kawagoe City will need to individually confirm the municipality to file the death certificate, the crematorium to use, the place of repose, and arrangements for transportation if the death occurs in Saitama City or if they are considering a funeral in or around Saitama City. The facilities and procedures available are not determined solely by the place of residence, so be sure to check each contact point one by one.

When you're unsure, decide on a sequence of steps to check and proceed accordingly.

In times of grief, it's difficult to answer many questions at once. First, organize the time-sensitive procedures such as filing a death certificate, and your immediate wishes regarding the deceased's body and visitation. Then, check the requirements for overseas transport and the availability of crematoriums and funeral halls in Japan, and share this information with your family to consider your options.

At Seikatsu Funeral Service Center, we listen to your individual circumstances and help you organize the points that need to be confirmed. Multilingual consultations are available via email. The availability and costs of interpretation, transportation, mortuary services, and religious ceremonies vary depending on your wishes and the conditions of the parties involved, so it is necessary to confirm these in advance. Please do not keep your questions to yourself; tell us your family's priorities one by one.

Whether you choose to take your loved one back to their home country or to say goodbye in Japan, both choices reflect feelings of remembrance for the deceased. Let's carefully go over all the necessary details and find a way that allows your family to face farewell with peace of mind.