"Grave closure" refers to the removal of the headstone, the clearing of the grave site, and the return of the right to use it. Methods include moving the grave to another location or scattering the ashes, eliminating the cemetery that should be maintained in the first place. Grave closures have been increasing in recent years, often due to various social reasons. Reasons for considering grave closure include "having no relatives," "no one to inherit the grave," "burdening the maintenance of the grave," and "the grave is located far away and difficult to visit."
In Japan, with the increasing trend toward nuclear families, the unmarried rate increasing, and the population declining, depopulation, especially in rural areas, will continue to worsen in the future. The practice of adopting children to continue the family line, as in the past, is becoming less common. Naturally, there will be an increasing number of cases where temples themselves will no longer be able to survive.
I hear that an increasing number of families are finding their relationship with temples a burden. Temples were originally a place of refuge where people could face the teachings of Buddhism and ask themselves how to live a happy life. However, in reality, many temples have become organizations that only handle funerals and grave management. As connections with the temple become weaker, some people feel that the temple only demands management fees and donations without providing anything else, making them reluctant to continue their relationship with the temple.
Even if there are successors, concerns remain. Leaving aside the individual's own generation, whether their descendants will continue to protect the home and grave in the same place is greatly influenced by the times and economic trends. Even if they wish to do so, there may be circumstances that require them to leave the land. It would be a shame to tie their descendants to the land forever, and many people are considering funeral methods that place as little burden on their descendants as possible.
If there are no successors and the grave is left as it is without closing, the body will eventually be treated as an abandoned Buddha. The same applies if the temple is unable to contact the successor to the cemetery or their relatives for a certain period of time. If the maintenance fees to be paid to the temple are stopped, the grave will be removed and treated as an abandoned grave. Grave closure requires administrative procedures, but if you consult with your city or town hall, they will explain the procedure in detail. If you can close the grave yourself, there will be no extra costs. There also seems to be an increase in specialist grave closure agents, so you should be able to find one quickly by searching online. |
