Grave Closure

1. Grave Closure

Grave closure refers to removing a gravestone, clearing the burial plot, and returning the usage rights.

Legally, you cannot simply remove remains from a grave to reinter them elsewhere or dispose of them. Administrative procedures are required.

In recent years, due to factors such as depopulation in rural areas, declining birthrates, and an aging society, the number of abandoned graves with no one to inherit them is increasing.

Also,
1. I do not want to burden my children
2. The grave is far away, making it difficult to visit and maintain

Due to changing values regarding graves, such as these, more people are considering grave closure.

2. Procedures for "Grave Closure"

(1) Consult with relatives. Obtain agreement in advance
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(2) Check the necessary procedures and documents for reinterment on the local government's website, etc.
If you have a grave usage contract, check its contents as much as possible.
Pay attention to the name of the contract holder and the payment status of maintenance fees.
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(3) Inform the cemetery manager of your intention to reinter
Inform the cemetery manager of your intention to close the grave and reinter, and request the issuance of a "Certificate of Burial".
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(4) Decide on a new place for the remains
Such as perpetual memorial services.
Request the new burial site to issue a "Certificate of Acceptance".
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(5) Obtain a reinterment permit
Obtain a "Reinterment Permit Application" from the local government (municipal office) where the current cemetery is located, fill in the necessary information, and submit it.

In the case of Kofu City, while the cemetery manager's signature on the reinterment permit application is required, attaching a "Certificate of Burial" or "Certificate of Acceptance" is not necessary.
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(6) Memorial service to close the grave (removing the spirit), removal of remains
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(7) Removal of gravestone, demolition work, return of usage rights
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(8) Reinterment of remains at the new location

3. Options after "Grave Closure"

1. Reinterment in a general grave

2. Reinterment in a charnel house
Choose this if you want to reduce costs and maintenance efforts nearby.

3. Home memorial service
This is a method of memorializing where all or part of the remains are kept in a familiar place such as your home.

There are methods such as dividing the remains and placing them in a mini urn.

4. Tree burial
This is a funeral method called a "natural burial."

Unlike traditional burial methods where remains are placed in a grave, the remains are buried using the cemetery grounds, natural mountain trees, or flowers as markers.

5. Scattering of ashes
This refers to cremating the body and scattering the remains after they have been turned into powder.
A typical example is "ocean scattering."

6. Perpetual memorial service
This is where a temple or cemetery manages and holds memorial services for the remains on behalf of the family.

However, the word "perpetual" in perpetual memorial service does not literally mean "forever."
The period for memorial services is determined by each temple or cemetery, such as 33 years or 50 years.

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