Lesson 44 Funeral Rites
Topic Question: “What are some unique aspects of Japanese funeral rites?”
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself
Japanese funeral rites are deeply rooted in Buddhist and Shinto traditions. They often involve multiple ceremonies that span several days, including a wake (tsuya), a funeral service, cremation, and the gathering for the reading of the will. Unique aspects include the koden (condolence money), the wearing of specific mourning clothes, and the custom of kotsuage, where family members pick up bones from the ashes with chopsticks, placing them in the urn.
Sample Answer
“Japanese funeral rites are deeply respectful, focusing on the family’s farewell and the soul’s peaceful transition. Unlike many Western funerals, they don’t typically involve embalming. The bereaved often wear white, not black, and cremation is chosen over burial. Koden, condolence money, is given, not flowers.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings
Condolence (哀悼): An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death.
Cremation (火葬): The disposal of a dead person’s body by burning it to ashes.
Bereaved (遺族): Deprived of a close relation or friend through their death.
Embalming (遺体保存処置): The process of preserving a body after death.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s Questions Based on the Sample Answer
1. How do Japanese funeral rites differ from those in the West?
2. What unique practice is involved in Japanese funerals that isn’t found in many other cultures?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
isn’t, haven’t, don’t, etc. (negatives)
I want to go out. → I don’t want to go out.
They work hard. → They don’t work hard
Liz plays the guitar. → Liz doesn’t play the guitar
My father likes his job. → My father doesn’t like his job.
I got up early this morning.→ I didn’t get up early this morning.
They worked hard yesterday. → They didn’t work hard yesterday.
We played tennis. → We didn’t play tennis.
Diane had dinner with us. → Diane didn’t have dinner with us.
Sometimes do is the main verb (don’t do / doesn’t do / didn’t do):
Do something! → Don’t do anything!
Sue does a lot on weekends. → Sue doesn’t do much on weekends.
I did what you said. → I didn’t do what you said.
▮ Practice Creating Sentences
Try creating sentences based on what you’ve learned about Japanese funeral rites. Use negatives to highlight unique aspects.
“In Japan, the family doesn’t wear black to the funeral; they wear white.”
“Japanese funerals don’t usually involve embalming.
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
