Disputes over Funerals: Families Should Be Able To Say Goodbye with Peace of Mind

Editorial

13:59 JST, April 6, 2026

Disputes between bereaved families and funeral service providers over the details and costs of funerals are becoming increasingly conspicuous. To ensure that this final opportunity to say goodbye to a loved one is a peaceful one, funeral service providers should make every effort to provide clear explanations.

In fiscal 2024, the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan received nearly 1,000 reports regarding funerals. Many involved “exorbitant bills” or “poor service quality,” and the number of inquiries related to funerals has been increasing year by year.

Bereaved families must begin preparing for the funeral within a matter of hours after losing a loved one. While overwhelmed by grief and emotional turmoil, they have to choose a funeral provider, select an altar and floral arrangements, and finalize other details of the ceremony.

With nuclear families becoming common and interactions with relatives decreasing, people have fewer opportunities to experience funerals. Many people are unaware of how to proceed with a wake or a funeral service, or how much it will cost.

There is an information gap between the bereaved and the providers, and the majority of families likely just sign contracts without question. When saying goodbye to a loved one, they likely have no time to spare for financial negotiations.

One factor behind the rise in disputes is the increase in online advertisements touting low prices, which has intensified price competition among providers. Many emphasize “all-inclusive flat rates,” but there are reportedly numerous cases where additional fees are later charged.

In one case, the Consumer Affairs Agency ordered a funeral service provider to pay a penalty of about ¥100 million for violating the Law against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, on the grounds that the provider issued misleading ads. It is essential to take strict action against unscrupulous providers who take advantage of bereaved families.

Funeral services have diversified in recent years. For example, embalming — a process that preserves the condition of the body through preservation and restoration — has become more common due to factors such as the difficulty of securing a date for cremation.

Embalming normally costs between ¥100,000 and ¥200,000. It is important for bereaved families to request a thorough explanation of the services recommended by providers and to assess their necessity.

One approach would be for families to discuss and decide the details of a funeral while loved ones are still in good health.

The municipal government of Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, has reached agreements with funeral service providers to offer standard funerals at a fixed price. Some municipalities, such as the city of Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture, provide funeral services directly. The style of funeral services is changing with the times.

People should first consider what kind of funeral they want and how much they can spend, before selecting a service provider or deciding whether to have the local government involved. A heartfelt, warm funeral can serve as a chance for the bereaved to move forward.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 6, 2026)