What to do if you can't read a funeral estimate in Omiya | Japanese cost items that foreigners need to check

When you begin making funeral arrangements in Omiya, you'll likely need to review an estimate within a short timeframe. For non-native Japanese speakers, understanding "how much is needed for what" and "what is included in this amount" can be a significant burden. There's no need to rush and pretend to understand everything, even if you encounter unfamiliar terms. The estimate is an important document for confirming your desired funeral arrangements and the associated costs.

At Seikatsu Funeral Service Center, we recommend organizing your questions by category if you wish to discuss the details while reviewing them. Especially when considering a family funeral, the necessary items may change depending on the number of attendees, how the venue will be used, and whether or not a religious officiant will be requested. Here, we introduce how to read and review estimates, which will also be useful when considering funerals in Omiya Ward, Urawa Ward, Minuma Ward, and other areas of Saitama City.

The first thing to look at isn't just the "total amount."

The total amount at the bottom of the estimate is important, but comparing only the total amount makes it difficult to understand what is included. First, check whether each item falls into one of the following categories: "Included in the estimate," "May be added upon request," or "Payment to parties other than the funeral home."

Even though the phrase "funeral package" may seem similar, the breakdown differs depending on the estimate. While it may include items such as the altar, coffin, portrait, reception supplies, and equipment needed for the ceremony, it's important to ask for specific details and quantities. There's no need to think, "It's a package, so I shouldn't ask for details."

When checking, mark each line of the estimate,What is the cost for? What is the quantity? What will the price be if it is changed?Listening to this will help you organize your thoughts. If possible, take notes in Japanese of the information you receive and review them calmly with your family.

Common cost items found in quotations

Items related to preparations from the time of death to the funeral.

Estimates may include terms such as "transportation," "placement," "preservation," and "encoffining." Transportation refers to taking the deceased to a designated location. Placement refers to the location and care provided for the deceased to rest until cremation or the funeral service. The details may vary depending on the distance, time of day, number of days of placement, and location, so please check the conditions specifically.

It's also a good idea to check the relationship between preservation items such as "dry ice" and the number of days. Ask if the estimate includes the number of days and times, and what happens if the schedule changes. Whether or not you can visit the deceased, and if so, the date, time, and conditions, will vary depending on the place of repose, so you need to check in advance.

Items related to the venue, altar, and operation of the ceremony

The "venue usage fee" is the cost of using the venue where the funeral is held. Whether this includes the time for the wake and funeral service, as well as the use of waiting rooms, mortuary rooms, etc., varies from venue to venue. Even when using funeral facilities in Saitama City, be sure to check the usage conditions with the facility.

"Altar," "fresh flowers," "funeral flowers," "portrait photograph," "funeral thank-you notes," and "return gifts" are items that may be chosen depending on the content of the ceremony and your preferences. For the altar and fresh flowers, it is a good idea to check the size, type, and setup details; for the portrait photograph, check the necessary photo data and the scope of retouching; and for return gifts, check how many you need. For funeral flowers, make sure to distinguish who is ordering them and whether they are included in the total estimate.

If the job description mentions "Master of Ceremonies" or "Operations Staff," please inquire about the specific guidance and activities included, and at what times during the ceremony. If you require explanations in a foreign language, individual interpretation, or document translation, you must confirm in advance whether these services are available and what they entail.

Items related to cremation

The costs related to cremation are a section that you should particularly check separately in a funeral estimate. If there are terms such as "cremation fee," "crematorium usage fee," "waiting room," and "urn for collecting ashes," check what is included in each. In Saitama City, there are two facilities for cremation: Urawa Crematorium and Omiya Seien, but you need to check with the facility or relevant parties regarding usage conditions, availability, and necessary procedures.

Once the cremation date is set, it can affect things like the number of days the body is kept, the use of the funeral hall, meals, and transportation. When you receive the estimate, it's a good idea to ask questions like, "What date is this price based on?" and "Which items will need to be reviewed if the date changes?" This will help you avoid last-minute panic.

Don't overlook the indications "additional charge," "actual cost," and "undecided."

Estimates may include phrases such as "separate charges," "actual costs," "estimated," or "undetermined." While these are not necessarily inappropriate, they may indicate that additional costs may arise beyond the total amount. For example, expenses such as food and beverages, return gifts, use of funeral halls or crematoriums, gratuities for religious officiants, and additional transportation or storage costs may vary depending on your preferences and circumstances.

Whether or not to request chanting or rituals from a religious figure, and what kind of prayer time is desired, depends on the wishes of the individual and their family. Religion and customs cannot be determined solely by nationality. If the estimate includes terms such as "offering," be sure to confirm who the payment is to, whether it is included in the funeral home's bill, or whether it should be prepared separately. It is important not to take the amount as a fixed obligation, but to individually confirm your wishes and the details of the information provided.

Questions that are easier to get answered if you tell them to the person in charge.

You don't need to memorize all the technical terms. Try asking questions in short Japanese phrases like the following. Pointing to the parts you didn't understand and asking about them is also sufficient.

• "What is included in this amount?"
• "Could you please explain the breakdown of this 'set'?"
• "Are there any additional costs?"
• "If the number of people or the date changes, which items will change?"
• "Is this item absolutely necessary? Can I choose not to select it?"
• "Please explain the costs related to cremation and funeral expenses separately."
• "Could you please write the explanation in Japanese?"

If you can't make a decision after just one explanation, you can ask to take the estimate home to review it. If multiple family members are involved, sharing the same estimate and answers to questions, and clarifying who makes what decisions, can reduce misunderstandings.

Please state your priorities first.

Checking costs isn't just about finding the cheapest items. If you tell them what's important to you beforehand, such as "I want to say goodbye quietly with a small number of people," "I want to cherish the time I spend with the deceased," or "I want to inform family members overseas about the situation," it will be easier to consider the contents of the estimate in light of your wishes.

Even though it's called a "family funeral," the details of the service are not uniform. Preparations will differ depending on whether you hold a wake, a funeral service, or choose cremation only, and how many attendees you invite. If there are items you don't want or items you think are necessary, please don't hesitate to consult with us. When you change the details, it will give you peace of mind to confirm the revised estimate or explanation of the costs.

To avoid rushing into signing or agreeing without understanding the implications

Immediately after losing a loved one, it can be difficult to process your emotions, and you may not have the capacity to read documents in Japanese. At such times, it is important to be honest and say, "I don't understand this right now," or "I want to confirm with my family." Check the date on the estimate, the services covered, the conditions for changes, and the payment details, and leave any unfamiliar terms as questions.

Even if you are planning a funeral in Omiya, or in Omiya Ward, Urawa Ward, or Minuma Ward of Saitama City, the cost is not determined solely by the area name. It is important to carefully read the individual estimate based on the venue, date, number of attendees, the condition of the deceased's body, and the desired details of the ceremony. When consulting with Seikatsu Funeral Service Center, it will be easier to organize the conversation if you write down any Japanese terms you don't understand, any requests you want to confirm, and your family's circumstances.

Understanding the estimate is preparation for making your own choices about how to say goodbye to your loved one. Let's clarify each unfamiliar term and consider what kind of arrangement will be comfortable for your family.