Old Japan funeral home offers ‘coffin-lying’ service to let people reflect on life and death

A 120-year-old funeral home in Japan has introduced a unique “coffin cafe” service where visitors can experience lying in a casket to reflect on life and death.

The funeral home, Kajiya honten, based in Futtsu, Chiba prefecture and founded in 1902 during the Meiji era, recently launched the initiative in collaboration with a funeral supply company.

Located on the first floor of its main building, the cafe opened in September, and features three uniquely designed coffins in gold, green and yellow.

The experience costs 2,200 yen (US$14) and has attracted many customers, including couples who take pictures together.

“While most young people think about weddings, few consider funerals. However, everyone can approach this experience differently. Some may want to close the coffin lid for a few minutes to contemplate how they’d like to live before their time comes,” Hirano said.

“The experience also provides an opportunity to re-evaluate your relationships with family and loved ones,” he added.

Hirano also hopes that people find the experience both “lively” and “renewing”.

“Coming out of the coffin can symbolise a rebirth, a reset of one’s life. I hope people leave feeling they can begin anew,” he said.

The innovation is also a response to challenges facing Japan’s funeral industry, motivating the company to attract more clients, especially younger generations, in order to thrive.

Source : https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/article/3286399/old-japan-funeral-home-offers-coffin-lying-service-let-people-reflect-life-and-death

Comprehension

What is the unique service offered by Kajiya honten funeral home?
Where is Kajiya honten located?
How much does the “coffin cafe” experience cost?
When did the cafe open?
What are the colors of the coffins in the cafe?
What do some visitors do during the experience, according to Hirano?
How does the experience help people reflect on life, according to Hirano?
Why is Kajiya honten introducing this experience to attract younger generations?

Discussion

What do you think about the idea of a “coffin cafe”?
Do you believe experiencing lying in a coffin could help someone reflect on their life? Why or why not?
Would you ever try the “coffin cafe” experience? Why or why not?
How do you think cultural attitudes toward death differ in different countries?
What is the role of funerals and death in your culture?
Do you think people in your country think about life and death as much as the Japanese are encouraged to in this cafe?
Why do you think some people choose to visit the coffin cafe with their loved ones?
How can businesses innovate to attract younger generations, especially in industries like funerals?
What do you think of the idea of using death-related experiences to encourage people to live their lives more fully?
How do you think experiences like this can affect people’s perspective on family and relationships?

Vocabulary

Casket: A box used for holding a dead body, usually for burial.
Contemplate: To think deeply about something.
Re-evaluate: To think about something again in order to decide if your opinion or judgment about it should change.
Innovation: The introduction of something new, especially a new idea or method.
Attract: To draw attention or interest to something.
Funeral supply company: A company that sells products and services for funerals, like coffins or urns.
Lively: Full of energy or excitement.
Rebirth: A new beginning or starting over after a change