hakajimai means closing a grave or grave removal. It refers to the process of dismantling a traditional Japanese family grave. This typically involves: Removing the tombstone and other structures.
Increasing Trend: In Hiroshima Prefecture, the number of hakajimai cases has reportedly doubled between 2020 and 2023.
Reasons for Hakajimai:
Family members living far from the grave site find it difficult to maintain and visit.
Concerns about a lack of successors or the desire not to burden future generations.
As the population ages, maintaining graves, especially those in hard-to-reach locations, becomes challenging.
Process and Costs:
The process begins with a Buddhist ceremony to remove the spirit from the grave.
Removing the tombstone is a costly process, and it can be more difficult in locations where heavy machinery cannot access.
The general cost ranges from 300,000 to 700,000 yen.
Permission from the local government is required to move the remains.
Emotional Aspect:
Families often feel a sense of relief from the burden of maintenance but also experience sadness and a sense of responsibility toward their ancestors.
Alternatives:
Nokotsudo (Columbarium): Moving the remains to a columbarium managed by a temple.
Space Burial: A service that launches ashes in a capsule into space.
Metaverse Cemetery: A virtual cemetery accessible via smartphone, where users can attend services for the deceased using avatars.