The loss of a loved one is difficult even in the easiest of circumstances, but when you throw in things like language and cultural barriers, geographic distance, and bureaucracy, mental and emotional stress can get in the way of commemorating your loved one’s life in the way that you want to. 

With a deep understanding of the hurdles involved with funerals in Japan, Robert Hoey and his company Funeral Support Services have developed a reputation as a supportive, empathetic, and multilingual provider of everything from embalming and repatriation to sea scattering services and estate counseling.

Multilingual Support for Funerals in Japan

Born and raised in Canada, Hoey worked as a funeral director in his home country before relocating to Japan in 1993. Now one of the few foreign embalmers in Tokyo, Hoey spent much of his early years in the country gaining experience in the local industry and teaching embalming techniques to Japanese trainees. 

But, with equal expertise in organizing and directing funerals in Canada, Hoey was eager to get back to the more interpersonal aspects of the industry and, noticing a gap in the market, started Funeral Support Services in 2017.

“Canada is kind of a melting pot of different cultures, so I was trained in Christian funerals, Buddhist funerals, Jewish funerals, Islamic funerals, the whole gamut,” Hoey says. With the local industry primarily versed in Buddhist and Shinto ceremonies, Funeral Support Services has met the demand nationally for bilingual services no matter the religious or cultural requirements. 

From cremation and burial to small social gatherings and larger religious and secular events, Hoey and his team have developed the connections and resources required to meet a variety of individual needs.

Along with a dedicated English phone line, Funeral Support Services now has WhatsApp and a chat system connected to their website, allowing people to contact them immediately without phoning from overseas or waiting for an email reply.

Updated Locations and Contact Information

Funeral Support Services has an expansive reach, providing more accessible locations for families in need.

• New Facility: 3074-2 Tana, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa-ken
• Business Office: Kagetsu Chojamaru 201, Kamiosaki 2-5-3, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, allowing easy meetings with families for funeral arrangements and pre-arrangements.
• Funeral Facilities: Full visitation and funeral services can now be arranged in Ota-ku, Tokyo, as well as additional facilities in Kawasaki and Yokohama.
• Contact Details:
  • English Phone: +81 (0)42-713-3815
  • Japanese Phone: 042-713-3025
  • Repatriation & Funeral Email: repatriation@funeralsupport.co.jp

Sea Scattering Services in Japan 

Sea Scattering Services Sea scattering is a growing option for foreign families in Japan, especially since purchasing a grave can be challenging. Funeral Support Services arranges sea scattering from Hokkaido to Okinawa, offering families the option to be present or to have it done on their behalf. 

When family members attend, a private boat is chartered, and the ashes are placed in dissolvable packets to ensure a smooth and respectful scattering process, avoiding issues like wind interference. Flowers are scattered afterward, and clergy members can accompany the family to conduct a religious ceremony. The family can receive photos, videos, and the GPS location of the scattering afterward to memorialize the moment. 

Additionally, scattering can also be arranged at a temple in the Kagurazaka area of Tokyo, where the loved one’s name can be placed on a gold plate on the temple wall.

Repatriation from Japan

When it comes to repatriation, the process is often easier than many people think. “Quite often, Japanese funeral companies don’t have experience with repatriations and lack English-speaking staff,” says Hoey.

“They increase the cost substantially to make it worth their effort to handle these cases. We understand the need to contain costs, especially if the deceased doesn’t have insurance.” Funeral Support Services has figured out ways to reduce costs, such as using lighter materials to lower air freight charges.

With strong relationships with foreign embassies in Japan, Hoey and his team assist with document translation, submission, flight logistics, and transportation arrangements, easing the burden on families overseas. “People look at my website and see that I’m a native speaker, and that puts them at ease,” Hoey explains. “We now have multilingual support available in English, Japanese, Mandarin, and Italian and aim to expand further.”

Estate Consulting in Japan

Estate consulting is a more recent addition to the company’s services. Previously, embassies would have to step in, but Funeral Support Services now handles everything from legal processes and property matters to house cleaning and the delivery of personal effects. “We’re connected to lawyers, real estate companies, cleaning companies, you name it. We take care of everything–right to the end,” Hoey says.

Funerals at Churches in Japan

When dealing with the foreign community, Hoey frequently assists with funeral arrangements at churches. He helps families conduct services just as they would in their home country, bringing a sense of familiarity and comfort. “Tokyo has some very beautiful churches with knowledgeable leaders,” he says.

As a member of the Tokyo Interfaith Council, Hoey has connections with various religious leaders, ensuring that families can find the right place of worship to honor their loved ones.

A Hybrid Approach to Funerals

Hoey and his team have worked with mixed-nationality families, ensuring funerals respect both Japanese and foreign traditions. “In some cases, when the Japanese spouse dies, the Japanese side of the family takes over and insists that it must be done a certain way,” Hoey says. “This is not the case. Funerals should be important for the immediate family, and we create unique hybrid services that incorporate different traditions to satisfy both sides.”

Over the past years, Funeral Support Services has dedicated itself to easing the journey from the time of loss to repatriation and estate management, ensuring that families and friends have the time, space, and peace of mind they need to honor their loved ones in a way that feels right for them.