Okuribito no Ososhiki Establishes 'Medical and Nursing Care Collaboration Office' to Support the 'Final Moments' in Medical and Nursing Care Settings

Departures Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "our company") operates the funeral brand "Okuribito no Ososhiki," centered on the skills of nōkanshi (funeral embalmers/undertakers), across Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Sapporo, and Hakodate areas. We are pleased to announce the establishment of a specialized organization, the "Medical and Nursing Care Collaboration Office," aimed at improving the quality of end-of-life care and strengthening multi-professional collaboration in medical and nursing care settings. This new office will develop end-of-life care seminars for nurses and care workers and establish a dedicated consultation service for medical and nursing care.

■ What is the Medical and Nursing Care Collaboration Office? - Towards a presence that bridges the "gap" between medical/nursing care and funerals by staying close to the field -

In medical and nursing care settings, it is not uncommon for post-mortem procedures to be ambiguous, or for professionals to feel anxious about collaborating with funeral homes. Field issues such as "I don't understand funerals well," "It's a delicate topic, so it's hard to bring up," or "There have been complaints about funeral companies introduced in the past" can also affect the emotional care provided to the deceased and their families.

The "Medical and Nursing Care Collaboration Office" is a specialized point of contact for resolving these collaboration challenges. It aims to perceive funeral homes not merely as "funeral service providers" but as "partners who jointly enhance the quality of end-of-life care," and through seminars and practical support, it strives to be a presence that "continuously pursues the quality of farewells" together with professionals in medical and nursing care settings.

■ What "Okuribito" can do

The activities of the Medical and Nursing Care Collaboration Office are based on seamless relationships fostered by the specialized knowledge and technical capabilities of two training institutions operated by our group, as well as internal human resources (nōkanshi, first-class funeral directors, first-class end-of-life planning counselors, embalmers, nurses, care managers, certified care workers, physical therapists, etc.).

Okuribito Academy

Japan's first nōkanshi training institution. Welcoming specialists in funeral services, medicine, nursing, and care as instructors, it develops personnel who can support "death = the end of life," and conveys how to make life's ending a better, more meaningful occasion. It is a proven institution that has been involved in training over 200 nōkanshi.

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General Incorporated Association Shukatsu Counselor Association

This is Japan's largest end-of-life planning organization, with over 25,000 certified qualification recipients. A "Shukatsu Counselor" is a qualified professional who identifies which field an abstract "concern" related to end-of-life planning belongs to, which specialist is needed, and then acts as a bridge to connect individuals with experts or specialized companies. Through the dissemination of knowledge and the production of specialists, this association aims to realize a society where people can live safely and securely in an ultra-aging society.

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■ "Towards a society where everyone can be an 'Okuribito'" - Our vision for establishing the Medical and Nursing Care Collaboration Office -

Currently, with the spread of the community-based integrated care system, multi-professional collaboration during life has made significant progress. However, the moment a "death certificate" is issued, medical and nursing care staff, who have diligently provided support until then, are forced to "let go" of important users and their families due to institutional and role boundaries. During this blank period, families can become isolated and left behind. We aim to support from before death to prevent such disconnections related to "what if" moments.

By adding the practical skills of "Okuribito no Ososhiki" and the knowledge and technical expertise of our group organizations, "Okuribito Academy" and "Shukatsu Counselor Association," to the circle of multi-professional collaboration, we connect ACP (Advance Care Planning) to post-mortem procedures and funerals as one continuous story.

Together with medical and nursing care professionals, we aim to alleviate the anxiety of individuals and their families and produce farewells without regret. We will strive to realize a society where "everyone becomes an Okuribito," allowing all involved to send off the deceased with peace of mind and respect.

■ Learn from the perspective of an "Okuribito"

"End-of-life Care Seminar" with a cumulative total of 1,110 participants

Our company holds on-site seminars for medical and nursing care professionals, conveying specialized techniques and attitudes. This program focuses on comprehensive support through "three phases" that are also applicable to new employee training and statutory training: from ACP and end-of-life planning "before death," to Angel Care and embalming ceremony demonstrations "at the time of death," and grief care and condolence etiquette "after death." We provide the necessary specialized knowledge and mindset at each stage. By including Okuribito in multi-professional collaboration, we help create a system that alleviates the anxieties of individuals, families, and medical/nursing care staff, and supports a dignified final moment.

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■ Introduction of Shohei Nakamura, Head of Medical and Nursing Care Collaboration Office

Shohei Nakamura

Head of Medical and Nursing Care Collaboration Office, Okuribito no Ososhiki

[Biography]

In 2000, joined a home care service company. Engaged in management and operations in various care settings, including home visits, day services, short stays, and elderly welfare centers.

In 2013, became independent. Sai