Preparing for 'the end of life'

Reuters Published November 16, 2014
Natsumi Niki smiles as she lies in a coffin to test it during an end-of-life seminar.
Natsumi Niki smiles as she lies in a coffin to test it during an end-of-life seminar.
A staff member demonstrates how to use a modern tomb that robotically retrieves the correct tombstone or urn based on which identity card is provided.
A staff member demonstrates how to use a modern tomb that robotically retrieves the correct tombstone or urn based on which identity card is provided.
Relatives walk through after praying for their loved one at the Ryogoku Ryoen, a multi-storey vault-style graveyard, in downtown Tokyo.
Relatives walk through after praying for their loved one at the Ryogoku Ryoen, a multi-storey vault-style graveyard, in downtown Tokyo.
A visitor spins a prayer wheel in front of a Buddhist statue in the lobby of Ryogoku Ryoen, a multi-storey vault-style graveyard.
A visitor spins a prayer wheel in front of a Buddhist statue in the lobby of Ryogoku Ryoen, a multi-storey vault-style graveyard.
Kazuo Furumoto (L) reacts as he is shown his portrait that will be displayed at his funeral during an end-of-life seminar.
Kazuo Furumoto (L) reacts as he is shown his portrait that will be displayed at his funeral during an end-of-life seminar.
A woman sits behind a sign showing prices of funerals during an end-of-life seminar.
A woman sits behind a sign showing prices of funerals during an end-of-life seminar.
Yukiko Kimura (R) prays for her late husband in front of a modern tomb.
Yukiko Kimura (R) prays for her late husband in front of a modern tomb.
The "Ruriden", a cemetery that uses high powered LED lights to illuminate over 2,000 Buddha statues carved in crystals, is pictured in downtown Tokyo.
The "Ruriden", a cemetery that uses high powered LED lights to illuminate over 2,000 Buddha statues carved in crystals, is pictured in downtown Tokyo.
Junkoh Nagakura walks out from the "Ruriden", a cemetery that uses high-powered LED lights to illuminate over 2,000 Buddha statues carved in crystals.
Junkoh Nagakura walks out from the "Ruriden", a cemetery that uses high-powered LED lights to illuminate over 2,000 Buddha statues carved in crystals.
A woman prays at the "Ruriden", a cemetery that uses high-powered LED lights to illuminate Buddha statues.
A woman prays at the "Ruriden", a cemetery that uses high-powered LED lights to illuminate Buddha statues.
Buddha statues carved in crystals are pictured at the "Ruriden", a cemetery that uses high-powered LED lights to illuminate statues.
Buddha statues carved in crystals are pictured at the "Ruriden", a cemetery that uses high-powered LED lights to illuminate statues.

Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but a latest trend is seen in Japan of preparing one's own funeral. This trend, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the elderly to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive.

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Comments (4) Closed
Srini
Nov 17, 2014 09:32am
Nice Illusion effect when you scroll up-down the last picture
Recommend 0
Mir
Nov 18, 2014 03:48pm
Crazy world out there!
Recommend 0
Rvel
Nov 20, 2014 03:20am
The world is disillusioned at present, until we get evolved into immortal beings and find cure to death, we will continue to live an aimless life doing weird stuff like above.
Recommend 0
Hope
Nov 21, 2014 08:46am
I think Japanese are the most adaptable people in the world. 69 years ago they believed the emperor is the Sun God and then myth once broken, a nation destroyed by A bomb rebuilt it self to the worlds 2nd largest economy in no time. They know space is limited so they figured out a way to have a modern graveyard/ personal shrine. World can learn a lot from goodness in there culture and also unity as a nation binding by a strong culture.
Recommend 0

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