Letters to deceased loved ones helping people mourn in Japan

What a splendid way to remember, reflect and cherish memories of loved ones who have passed away!

Gone but never forgotten!

We never know another's grief. It helps to forgive deceased where possible. Forgive oneself.

This is one of the things I like most about Japan. These little gestures, which don't feel the need to announce themselves too loudly, yet which have a profound effect. I expect that if someone tried this in the UK, it would be vandalised or broken within a week.

I have Japanese friends who visit their family grave more often than they visited them alive. The go to apologize for not visiting them when alive. Go figure?

People can write a letter any day in their homes and place them in their Butsudans.

I believe that it is valid to write to the deceased ones. I also believe that is worthy to consider writing, talking, in life, before the departure of this dimension. Self-pride should give room for humbleness and give priority to restore relationships before it is too late. What do we value most?

Over 60% of Japanese households have a butsudan. Easy to make a special place to keep photos and other items of a loved one.

In the West people often keep the urn of a loved one.

"Letters to deceased loved ones helping people mourn in Japan."

It's good never to forget those who have departed ahead of us. And we should cherish their memories good or bad. However, I fully understand we have different cultures with different ceremonies for various occasions. Nevertheless, regardless of race or cultural differences those departed are helpless and their time is done. Therefore, their souls depends on the prayers of the living. It's the fervent prayers of the living which intervene or intercedes for the departed loved one. And usually, when the wishes of the intervention/ intercession are granted of those who didn't make it to Paradise and held in Purgatory. Their souls are upgraded to Paradise. Please, keep those departed in your prayers and pray for them whenever a chance a rises and the ever Gracious God is ever listening. If I'm not hundred percent sure I won't dare mention this to you.

Postal Service for the Dead

https://sleepysue.studio/postal-service-for-the-dead

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Island post office in Kagawa accepts mail to dead loved ones

https://www.mitoyo-kanko.com/eng/facility/missing-post-office/)

There are others.

As a temporary adhesive bandage, letter writing will help the mourner, yet knowing where the deceased are and what their condition is will be of greater comfort. In other words, knowing whether the religion you follow is true and what it says about the deceased. Truth is better than empty platitudes.

It sounds like a decent way for people to help heal, and still communicate with those they lost. I think it's great. I just hope there is no charge for it.

What a fantastic way of saying good bye, and letting people move on with their own lives. It's such a simple thing, yet this act can have a profound effect on someone who is struggling with the passing of a loved one

We'll all go through the process at some point. This seems like a good way of helping people come to terms with their loss and living on with not just the grief (which may never go away) and regrets, but also the myriad of positive memories they made with their loved ones.

knowing where the deceased are and what their condition is

They live on in memory and legacy.

Truth is better than empty platitudes.

Like thoughts and prayers.

Makoto ShimizuAug. 26  09:16 am JST

I believe that it is valid to write to the deceased ones. I also believe that is worthy to consider writing, talking, in life, before the departure of this dimension. Self-pride should give room for humbleness and give priority to restore relationships before it is too late. What do we value most?

Another way is to go to the online obit on Legacy.com and make a posting of your own expression. That's worked for me a number of times.

wallaceAug. 26  10:34 am JST

Over 60% of Japanese households have a butsudan. Easy to make a special place to keep photos and other items of a loved one.

In the West people often keep the urn of a loved one.

Some do. That practice is too 'spooky' for many Westerners for various reasons.