Funeral Home Opens "Shukatsu University" to Help People "Graduate" Life with Peace of Mind!

Yokokawa Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Gyoda City, Saitama Prefecture, Representative: Eiji Yokokawa), which undertakes funeral services under the brand names "Gyoda Ceremony®" and "Kazokusou no Famille®", will hold free monthly seminars on the theme of "Shukatsu" (end-of-life planning) for seniors in the local community starting from April 2026. Participants will become "students" and receive lectures from local experts, aiming for "graduation" to face the end of their lives with peace of mind. The program was so well-received last year, with over 20 participants each time, that it will be held again this year. A total of six enjoyable sessions are planned, including not only classroom lectures but also on-site visits and hands-on experiences. [Page Link]

[Course Schedule]

1. April 11 (Sat) 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Famille Gyoda [Ekimae House]
   "Entrance Ceremony ~Let's Start Preparing for Old Age~" The reality of the funeral business where troubles continue due to exaggerated advertising!

2. May 9 (Sat) 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Famille Kumagaya [Ishihara Hall]
   "Pre-mortem Organization and Home Decluttering" Sorting unnecessary items and disposing of vacant homes *Includes a visit to a recycling shop

3. June 13 (Sat) 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Famille Bankan Tree Burial Cemetery
   "Tree Burial Visit and Grave Relocation" On-site visit to Kumagaya's tree burial ground opening this spring and Goma prayer experience!

4. July 11 (Sat) 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Famille Kumagaya [Ishihara Hall]
   "Reliable Local Lifelong Support" Services and systems that help, such as shopping assistance and guardianship.

5. August 8 (Sat) 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Famille Gyoda [Ekimae House]
   "Seniors' Money, Insurance, and Pensions" Tips for managing money now to prepare for retirement funds.

6. September 23 (Wed, Holiday) 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Famille Kumagaya [Ishihara Hall]
   "Graduation Ceremony ~Encoffinment Experience and Ending Note~" Demonstration by an encoffinment specialist and photo shoot for memorial portraits.
   *Course content may be subject to change without notice.

[How to Apply]

Phone reception: Gyoda Ceremony Group's Shukatsu Club "Famille" Toll-free number 0120-0983-87

[Purpose of Opening]

With life now extending to 100 years, an increasing number of seniors are engaging in "Shukatsu" to live better and more authentically. Media outlets frequently cover themes such as "funerals," "graves," and "disposal of family homes," leading some to understand and prepare for their own end-of-life planning based on this information.

However, due to their age, seniors can sometimes be misled by incorrect information or become involved in troubles, creating a demand for reliable information dissemination and support from the local community. It was in response to this need that "Shukatsu University" was established by a local funeral home to provide accurate information and practical insights, enabling seniors to engage in end-of-life planning with peace of mind.

Local experts are invited to speak at each session, and the courses are designed to be enjoyable, not just through lectures but also through visits and hands-on experiences, making it easy for participants to learn and aim for the goal of "graduation."

Last year (2025), the program was held over eight sessions, with over 20 participants each time, and successfully saw 15 individuals "graduate" after completing all sessions.

There are still many seniors in the community who "want to learn more" and "want to prepare so as not to trouble their families," leading us to believe that as a local company, we should continue this initiative. Thus, we decided to hold it again this year, following last year's success.

[2025 (Reiwa 7) Achievements] Date and Course Theme / Lecturer

1. April 21 Funerals and Graves Funeral Director

   How funerals and graves have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and what to prepare. [Page Link]

2. May 25 Decluttering / Used Item Sales Owner of a recycling shop
   Tips for sorting items to discard, keep, or sell, and organizing one's belongings. [Page Link]

3. June 10 Identity Guarantee / Guardianship System Social Worker
   Preparations and systems to entrust for those living alone to ensure peace of mind after death. [Page Link]

4. July 20 Inheritance and Wills Tax Accountant

   Creating an inventory of assets and preparing procedures, and how to write a will during one's lifetime. [Page Link]

5. August 23 Disposal of Family Homes and Taxes Inheritance Diagnostician

   Measures for vacant homes, where procrastination only increases costs and effort. [Page Link]

6. September 21 Caregiving and Nursing Homes Lawyer

   Balancing caregiving and work to avoid becoming a "caregiving refugee," and understanding care services. [Page Link]

7. October 25 Pension Insurance Life Plan Financial Planner

   Extending asset longevity, understanding available systems, and reviewing household finances and insurance. [Page Link]

8. November 29 Family Meeting Shukatsu Ojisan

   Conveying that family discussions lead to personal preparation and peace of mind. [Page Link]

[Organizer]

Yokokawa Co., Ltd. "Famille of Gyoda Ceremony Group"

A funeral home in Saitama Prefecture founded in 1926. In addition to undertaking funerals in Gyoda City and Kumagaya City under the brand names "Gyoda Ceremony®" and "Kazokusou no Famille®", it also develops tree burials and end-of-life planning events, widely supporting seniors. [Homepage]