One in Five Chief Mourners is "55-59 Years Old" - Actual Data on Average Funeral Costs and Chief Mourner Ages.

Yokohama Funeral Services (Reisy Inc.), which operates funeral services primarily in Yokohama City, has released data on the age distribution of chief mourners and the average costs for different funeral formats. Funerals are a unique experience that most people only encounter "once or twice in a lifetime," yet their realities are not widely known. We hope this data will serve as preparation for "that day" which will inevitably come.

Chapter 1 | The Reality of Funeral Costs - Up to 630,000 Yen Difference Depending on Format

■ Three Formats and Average Prices

The cost of a funeral varies significantly depending on the chosen format.

Source: Yokohama Funeral Services Habataki Group 2024-2026 Data Compilation

■ Characteristics of Each Format and Reasons for Their Selection

Family Funeral (Average 980,000 Yen)
This format is for a small number of people, such as family and close friends. While following the rituals of a wake and funeral service, costs can be kept lower than a general funeral by limiting attendees. It has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the growing need for "a quiet farewell with only close family."

One-Day Funeral (Average 810,000 Yen)
This format omits the wake and conducts the funeral service and cremation in one day. It eliminates the need for accommodation for attendees from afar and reduces the physical and time burden on the chief mourner and bereaved family. It is often chosen when elderly family members serve as chief mourners or when there are few attendees.

Direct Cremation (Average 350,000 Yen)
Also known as "direct cremation," this is the simplest format, involving only cremation without a wake or funeral service. While it minimizes costs, the time for farewells is shorter. It is chosen in cases where the deceased themselves wished for it during their lifetime or when there are very few attendees.

■ Beware of Cases Where "Plan Price" Differs from "Actual Payment Amount"

Caution: The plan price presented by a funeral home may differ from the final payment amount. In particular, costs for temporary storage and dry ice are often added separately, and expenses increase the longer the waiting period. Always confirm "what is included in the plan price" when getting an estimate.

Chapter 2 | The Age of Becoming a Chief Mourner - Data Reveals "Sudden Debut as Chief Mourner"

■ Most Common Age is 55-59. Approximately 70% of the Working Generation Experience It

Source: Yokohama Funeral Services Habataki Group 2024-2026 Data Compilation

Approximately 55% of all chief mourners are concentrated in the 50-64 age group, and including 45-49 year olds, approximately 68% are from the working generation.

■ Why are people in their 50s the most common?

The average life expectancy in Japan is 81 for men and 87 for women (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 2023). The parents of those currently in their 50s are reaching their 80s and 90s, which statistically coincides with the period when deaths are concentrated. Additionally, due to the declining birthrate, there are fewer siblings, which tends to automatically narrow down the options for "who will serve as chief mourner."

■ What a "First-Time Chief Mourner" Must Handle in a Short Period

Many chief mourners in their 50s face funeral arrangements during a period when their work and family responsibilities are heaviest. Furthermore, since most are first-timers, they must manage the following almost simultaneously:

The reality faced by working-generation chief mourners is that funeral preparations and post-funeral administrative procedures come rushing in simultaneously.

Chapter 3 | Structural Issues in Funerals You Should Know - Reasons Why Costs "Exceed Estimates"

■ The Spreading "Cremation Waiting" Problem in Urban Areas

Long waiting times for cremation - this is a common problem in densely populated urban areas such as Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka. In Japan, many crematories are public, allowing citizens to use them at relatively low prices. However, the number of facilities often fails to keep pace with population growth in many areas.

Especially during winter (December-February), a decline in temperature leads to a worsening of health conditions, causing the number of deaths to increase most significantly throughout the year. As demand concentrates while crematory capacity remains unchanged, it is not uncommon in urban areas for waiting times of several days to over a week to occur between death and cremation.

■ "Hidden Costs" Incurred During the Waiting Period

If the waiting period extends to a week, tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand yen may be added to the initial estimate. The misconception that "I thought I could have a funeral at the plan price, but it ended up being much higher" arises from this structural issue.

■ What is the Difference Between Public and Private Facilities?

Choosing between them depends on balancing cost, schedule, and accessibility. Since there is often little time to compare and consider options in an urgent situation, understanding the types and costs of nearby facilities in advance can ultimately help reduce the burden on the family.

Chapter 4 | Checkpoints for First-Time Chief Mourners When Choosing a Funeral Home

Here are points to check when a first-time chief mourner selects a funeral home.

Summary

The data released this time reveals the following realities regarding funerals:

Three Realities Revealed by the Data

① Approximately 55% of chief mourners are from the working generation aged 50-64. Many serve as chief mourners for the first time.

② Funeral costs vary widely from 350,000 to 980,000 yen depending on the format, and the choice...