Summary

In Japan, Doughty reflects on the similarities and difference between Japan and America. While the funeral industries in both countries are dominated by large corporations and professional death workers, there are some key differences in Japanese deathcare. Doughty visits the Koukokuji Buddhist Temple where the head monk Yajima jushoku oversees both modern and traditional death rituals. When the traditional temple reached capacity, Yajima built the Ruriden columbarium, a state of the art building that combined technology and tradition to house cremated remains. The room is full with two-thousand Buddhas which glow with different coloured lights to create a beautiful ambience. When a family member visits, they use a smart card with a chip to activate the lights. While all the Buddhas glow blue, the one housing the remains of their loved one glows white. The innovation at the Ruriden columbarium is partly...