Top Reason for Scattering Ashes is 'Deceased's Wishes' at 66% | Ocean Scattering Chosen by 71%, While 34% Report Feeling Lonely Without a Place to Pray

In recent years, an increasing number of people are considering the scattering of ashes as a memorial option, driven by thoughts such as 'wanting to return them to nature without having a grave' or 'wanting a send-off that aligns with the deceased's wishes.'

On the other hand, since ash scattering is a different memorial method from traditional graves, many people have anxieties such as 'Will I regret it?', 'Can I get my relatives' understanding?', and 'Will I feel lonely after the ashes are scattered?'

Therefore, Fufu Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative: Takagi), which operates the temple-leaving and grave-closing agency 'Watashitachi no Hakajimai' (https://kaiso.or.jp/haka/), conducted a 'Fact-finding Survey on Ash Scattering' targeting 100 men and women who have carried out 'ash scattering' for a family member within the past 5 years.

In this survey, questions were set and responses were tallied regarding:

- The biggest deciding factor in choosing ash scattering
- The form of ash scattering conducted
- Important factors when choosing ash scattering (multiple answers allowed)
- Honest feelings after the ash scattering was completed (multiple answers allowed)
- Things they are 'glad' about regarding the ash scattering (multiple answers allowed)
- 'Unexpected' or 'troublesome' issues after the ash scattering (multiple answers allowed)
- Things to be careful about to avoid regrets (free answer)

This release publishes the survey results, focusing on the selection trends for each question and the key points confirmed from the results.

▼ Special page for survey results
https://kaiso.or.jp/media/hakajimai-memorial/sankotsu/

## 1. The Biggest Deciding Factor for Scattering Ashes is the 'Deceased's Wishes' (66.00%)

When 100 people who actually carried out ash scattering for a family member within the past 5 years were asked, 'What was the biggest deciding factor in choosing ash scattering for the memorial?', the most common answer was 'the deceased's wishes' at 66 people (66.00%).
This was followed by 'no one to inherit the grave' at 13 people (13.00%) and 'not wanting to leave a management burden to the children's generation' at 13 people (13.00%).

This shows that ash scattering is chosen primarily by respecting the deceased's own wishes, rather than focusing on cost or freedom of format.
Additionally, practical circumstances such as the absence of a successor or future management burdens also encourage this choice.

[Breakdown (Number of people)] (n=100)
- Deceased's wishes: 66 people (66.00%)
- No one to inherit the grave: 13 people (13.00%)
- Don't want to leave management burden to children: 13 people (13.00%)
- Want to reduce the cost of building/maintaining a grave: 4 people (4.00%)
- Want to let them rest in a place they loved: 3 people (3.00%)
- Don't want to be bound by traditional religion or formats: 1 person (1.00%)

## 2. 'Ocean Scattering' is the Most Common Form at 71.00%

When asked, 'What form of ash scattering did you conduct?', 'ocean scattering' was the most common with 71 people (71.00%).
This was followed by 'mountain/forest scattering' with 24 people (24.00%) and 'space burial or balloon burial' with 3 people (3.00%).

The implementation format of ash scattering is heavily concentrated on ocean scattering, indicating that it has become established as the typical option for ash scattering.
On the other hand, mountain/forest scattering and other formats are also chosen by a certain number of people, showing that memorial methods are diversifying according to the wishes of the deceased and their families.

[Breakdown (Number of people)] (n=100)
- Ocean scattering: 71 people (71.00%)
- Mountain/forest scattering: 24 people (24.00%)
- Space burial or balloon burial: 3 people (3.00%)
- Other: 2 people (2.00%)

## 3. Important Factors When Choosing Ash Scattering: 'Location' (73 people), 'Company Reliability' (51 people)

When asked, 'What did you prioritize when choosing ash scattering?', the 'location of scattering' was the most common answer with 73 people.
This was followed by the 'reliability of the company' (51 people) and 'whether family can accompany' (34 people).

This indicates that where the scattering takes place and whether the company can be trusted with peace of mind are prioritized over cheap costs.
Because ash scattering is a one-time memorial, it is believed that satisfaction with the location and a sense of security regarding the execution are the selection criteria.

[Breakdown (Number of people)] (n=100 / multiple answers)
- Location of scattering: 73 people
- Reliability of the company: 51 people
- Whether family can accompany: 34 people
- Low implementation cost: 21 people
- Availability of partial remains keeping (temoto kuyo): 17 people
- Issuance of commemorative items or certificates after scattering: 14 people
- Other: 1 person

## 4. Honest Feelings After Scattering: 'Satisfied to Fulfill Deceased's Wishes' is Most Common (70 people)

When asked, 'What are your honest feelings after the ash scattering was completed?', 'satisfied to fulfill the deceased's wishes' was the most common answer with 70 people.
This was followed by 'a refreshing feeling of returning them to nature' (45 people) and 'feeling somewhat lonely' (26 people).

As for feelings after scattering, while there are many answers indicating satisfaction and a sense of closure, a certain number of people also harbor loneliness.
The characteristic is that high satisfaction coexists with the emotion of losing a physical place to rely on for memorials.