The article “Burial woes deepen for Japan’s elderly foreign residents” (Nikkei Asia 2025/03/02) can be summarized as follows:
- Foreign residents in Japan face significant challenges when trying to bury their loved ones, as cremation is the standard practice. Those whose religious beliefs require burial struggle to find cemeteries that allow interment. This issue is further complicated by the aging foreign community, and as foreign nationals become a crucial part of Japan’s workforce, addressing these concerns is becoming increasingly important.
In Southeast Asia, burial practices vary significantly across countries, influenced by different religious and cultural beliefs. The region is home to a variety of religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, each shaping burial customs.
- Thailand: Buddhism is predominant, and cremation is the most common practice. The deceased is often cremated in a ceremony conducted by monks, with the ashes typically kept in the family home or enshrined in a temple.
- Indonesia: Islamic burial practices dominate in regions like Java, where burial occurs quickly with the body facing Mecca. In Bali, however, where Hinduism prevails, cremation is the central practice, with elaborate ceremonies often held for the deceased.
- Philippines: Predominantly Catholic, Filipinos typically bury the deceased, often with a funeral Mass. After burial, the family may hold a “nine-night” ritual to honor the deceased’s soul. Ancestor worship is also significant, with regular prayers and offerings.
- Vietnam: Influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism, burials usually involve placing the deceased in the ground, with ongoing ancestor worship. In urban areas, cremation is becoming more common, but rural regions still favor traditional burial practices.
- Cambodia: Like Thailand, Cambodia follows Buddhist practices, with cremation being the most common method. The deceased is often cremated by monks, and the ashes may be kept in a temple. Rituals for the deceased are seen as crucial for ensuring a peaceful afterlife.
In conclusion, burial practices in Southeast Asia reflect the region’s religious diversity, with each country or community having its own unique rituals and beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife. Cremation and burial are both common, depending on the local religious and cultural context.