[7th] National Survey on Funerals (2026)

Kamakura Shinsho Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Fumio Kobayashi; TSE Prime: 6184; hereinafter: the Company), which provides various services related to "end-of-life planning"—a growing demand in the super-aging society—announced the results of the "7th National Survey on Funerals (2026)" conducted in March 2026 by "Ii Sogi," Japan's largest funeral consultation and request site operated by the Company.

URL: https://www.e-sogi.com/guide/60603/

For those wishing to cite survey results: https://www.kamakura-net.co.jp/contact/cite-contact/

**Background of Implementation**

To provide information to those who will be arranging funerals, the Company conducts a "National Survey on Funerals" every two years, targeting men and women aged 40 and over nationwide who have experienced being a chief mourner (or in a similar position). This marks the 7th iteration of the survey.

The previous survey showed that the form of funerals, which changed due to the impact of the novel coronavirus, is becoming established even after the pandemic.

Amidst the rising aging rate and diversifying values, this survey was conducted to convey the current reality of funerals, aiming to assist families.

**Survey Overview**

Survey Name: 7th National Survey on Funerals (2026)

Target: Men and women aged 40 and over nationwide who have experienced being a chief mourner (or in a similar position) within the past two years (March 2024 - March 2026).

Survey Period: February 27, 2026 (Friday) - March 3, 2026 (Tuesday)

Survey Method: Internet survey (Survey cooperation: Cross Marketing Inc.)

Valid Responses: 2,000

* Response rates (%) are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%.

**Survey Topics**

① Approximately half (47.0%) of valid respondents chose family funerals. Established as the mainstream funeral type.

Compared to the previous survey, family funerals slightly decreased (-3.0%), while direct cremation/cremation-only services and one-day funerals slightly increased, showing signs of diversification.

② Total funeral cost is 967,300 yen. Approximately 25,000 yen increase from the previous survey.

General funerals cost 1,220,100 yen (up 6,300 yen from previous), family funerals 963,900 yen (up 64,900 yen), direct cremation/cremation-only services 495,600 yen (up 17,100 yen), and one-day funerals 744,300 yen (up 19,900 yen).

③ Over 60% (63.8%) of chief mourners responded, "I had not prepared for the funeral in advance."

The most common time to decide on a funeral provider was "after death," indicating that many people hastily make arrangements without much leeway.

④ When selecting a funeral provider, approximately 90% "did not get multiple quotes (did not compare)."

Perhaps due to a lack of time and emotional余裕, 87.1% of people decided on a funeral provider with only one company without comparing with others.

⑤ The biggest difficulty in arranging a funeral was "not knowing the market price/manners for O-fuse (offerings to temples)."

This suggests that a lack of familiarity with temples and insufficient knowledge of Buddhist rituals and etiquette are significant burdens for chief mourners.

⑥ Strong burden felt from "Okuyami procedure" (bereavement procedures) at government offices. High expectations for specialized support desks.

Many people have a negative image of complicated government office procedures, and many positive voices expressed a desire for specialized support desks with dedicated staff.

**Survey Results**

① Approximately half (47.0%) of valid respondents chose family funerals. Established as the mainstream funeral type.

The most common type of funeral actually held was a "family funeral" at 47.0% (940 people). This was followed by "general funerals" at 30.2% (604 people), "one-day funerals" at 11.9% (238 people), and "direct cremation/cremation-only services" at 10.8% (216 people).

Compared to the 6th survey in 2024, the proportion of family funerals slightly decreased (50.0% → 47.0%), while general funerals remained almost flat (30.1% → 30.2%). On the other hand, the proportions of "one-day funerals" (10.2% → 11.9%) and "direct cremation/cremation-only services" (9.6% → 10.8%) slightly increased, indicating a progression in the diversification of funeral scales and formats.

② Total funeral cost is 967,300 yen. Approximately 25,000 yen increase from the previous survey.

Looking at the breakdown of funeral expenses, the "basic fee" was 720,200 yen, "food and beverage expenses" were 116,700 yen, and "return gift expenses" were 130,300 yen, totaling 967,300 yen. This is an increase of approximately 25,000 yen from the previous survey (942,100 yen).

Furthermore, comparing the total costs by funeral type, general funerals were 1,220,100 yen (up 6,300 yen from previous), family funerals 963,900 yen (up 64,900 yen), direct cremation/cremation-only services 495,600 yen (up 17,100 yen), and one-day funerals 744,300 yen (up 19,900 yen).

* Survey results up to the 7th survey (2026 survey) were re-aggregated using median values.

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