83.7% of People Aged 60 and Over Respond "Have Not Prepared for My Own Funeral." What are the Contents of "Pre-arrangements" for Those Who Are Preparing?

**■How many people are actually engaged in end-of-life planning and funeral pre-arrangements?** Interest in preparations for the end of life, known as "Shukatsu" (end-of-life planning), is growing. However, how many people are actually concretely thinking about or proceeding with preparations for their own funerals? Many may feel "I have to do it someday" but find it difficult to start. Therefore, in collaboration with "Saijo Hakushima Kaikan," a family funeral, funeral, and memorial service provider in Hiroshima, we conducted a survey on "Shukatsu and Funeral Pre-arrangements" targeting 350 men and women aged 60 and over nationwide. *When quoting the content of this press release, please comply with the following: ・State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Co., Ltd. and Saijo Hakushima Kaikan." ・Provide a link to Saijo Hakushima Kaikan (https://www.so-gi.co.jp/). ・Provide a link to the relevant article (https://www.so-gi.co.jp/blog/6722/). **"Survey on Shukatsu and Funeral Pre-arrangements" Overview** Survey method: Online questionnaire Survey period: February 20, 2026 – March 5, 2026 Target respondents: Men and women aged 60 and over nationwide Valid responses: 350 samples Questions: Question 1: Have you thought about or prepared for your own funeral in advance? Question 2: To what extent have you proceeded? (Multiple answers allowed) Question 3: What prompted you to start Shukatsu or funeral preparations? Question 4: What are your reasons for not having started Shukatsu or funeral preparations? Question 5: Have you communicated your wishes for your own funeral to your family? Question 6: What kind of details have you communicated? Question 7: What are your reasons for not communicating them? Question 8: What would you like to decide in advance regarding your funeral? (Multiple answers allowed) Question 9: Please tell us specifically what you want to decide and why. *As a general rule, figures are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%. **■83.7% responded, "I have not made pre-arrangements for my own funeral."** First, we asked if respondents had thought about or prepared for their own funerals in advance. The results showed that 16.3% answered "Yes" and 83.7% answered "No." It is clear that over 80% of respondents have not yet made concrete preparations for their own funerals. For those who answered "Yes" to having made funeral pre-arrangements, we asked about the extent of their progress. The most common answer was "Decided on the funeral format" at 59.6%. This was followed by "Have a candidate funeral home or have consulted one" at 33.3%, and "Decided on a budget estimate" at 22.8%. It is clear that many people start by deciding on the broad direction, such as the funeral format and scale. **■Triggers for starting preparations include "illness" and "death of a loved one."** Next, we asked those who answered "Yes" to having made funeral pre-arrangements about what prompted them to start. Triggers for starting Shukatsu and funeral preparations: ・Since undergoing throat cancer surgery three years ago. (60s, male) ・Because I nursed my parents until their passing. (60s, female) ・Because I wanted to minimize the burden on my family. (60s, female) ・Because I experienced the difficulties of being a chief mourner. (70s, female) ・Having experienced great hardship after my wife passed away, I am trying to avoid burdening my children in my own case. (80s, male) Many respondents cited their own illness or changes in physical condition, or the death of a loved one, as major triggers. The desire to "not make the remaining family go through the same hardships" seems to be the driving force behind their preparations. **■Reasons for not preparing include "it's too early" and "I don't know what to do."** On the other hand, we asked those who answered "No" to having made funeral pre-arrangements about their reasons. Reasons for not having started Shukatsu or funeral preparations: ・I think it's still too early. (60s, male) ・I don't know what to do. (60s, male) ・First, my cohabiting parents' Shukatsu and funeral arrangements come first. (60s, male) ・I'm still healthy, so I don't want to think about such an unlucky thing yet. (70s, male) ・Psychological resistance and the perception that "it's still too early." (70s, male) The most common responses were "it's still too early" and "I don't feel it's real." There were also voices expressing confusion like "I don't know where to start" and psychological resistance such as "it's bad luck" or "I don't want to think about it." **■87.7% responded, "I have communicated my funeral wishes to my family."** Next, we asked those who answered "Yes" to having made funeral pre-arrangements whether they had communicated their wishes for their own funeral to their family. The results showed that 87.7% answered "Yes, I have communicated" and 12.3% answered "No, I have not communicated." It is clear that most of those who are preparing are sharing the details with their families. For those who answered "Yes, I have communicated," we asked what kind of details they had communicated, and some examples are introduced below. Details communicated: ・I asked for a modest family funeral. (60s, male) ・A direct cremation with only family, without informing others. (60s, female) ・I want my ashes scattered in the sea. (60s, female) ・I have communicated that the cheapest direct cremation is fine, and there's no need to inform anyone. (70s, male) ・All matters related to the funeral are written in an ending note, and information such as asset status and storage locations on the computer has been communicated to the children. (80s, male) ・I am discussing with my wife about the presence or absence of life-sustaining treatment and cremation methods. (80s, male) Many expressed a desire for simple formats such as "family funeral" or "direct cremation." Wishes not to adhere to traditional graves, such as scattering ashes or tree burials, were also prominent. Some even comprehensively recorded asset information and passwords in their ending notes. Furthermore, for those who answered "No, I have not communicated," we asked for their reasons, and some examples are introduced below. Reasons for not communicating: ・Because I live alone. (60s, male) ・No opportunity. (60s, female) ・There is no family to communicate with. (60s, male) ・Because it's not yet organized. (80s, male) Although a minority answered "No, I have not communicated," their reasons included serious circumstances. The response of "living alone and having no one to communicate with" overlaps with the social issue of an increasing number of elderly living alone. Also, the response "it's not yet organized" indicates that some people have started preparations but still need time to organize everything. **■75.4% responded, "I want to decide on the funeral format in advance."** Finally, we asked those who answered "Yes" to having made funeral pre-arrangements what they would like to decide in advance regarding their funeral. The most common answer was "Funeral format" at 75.4%. This was followed by "Grave/Interment (method, timing, location)" at 54.4%, "Scope of attendees" at 52.6%, "Location (funeral home, temple, home, etc.)" at 42.1%, and "Costs/Budget" at 40.4%. We asked specifically what they want to decide and some examples are introduced below. Specifically what they want to decide: ・So that those left behind can perform the funeral without hesitation. (60s, female) ・Funeral format, scope of attendees. Because it affects the budget. (60s, male) ・Have my ashes scattered in the sea. I don't want to own a grave. (60s, female) ・It would be troublesome for the remaining family if there's nothing prepared. (70s, male) ・Regarding the funeral, ask a temple, contact only relatives, record cash storage locations, account numbers, etc., in an ending note to avoid burdening the children. (80s, male) ・To avoid causing trouble for the successor. (80s, female) The overwhelming reason given was the desire to "not cause trouble for the family." Many believed that by deciding on the format and scope of attendees in advance, which directly impacts costs, families would not be left to make difficult decisions. **■Summary** This survey revealed that 83.7% of people aged 60 and over have not made pre-arrangements for their own funerals. On the other hand, 87.7% of those who are preparing have communicated their wishes to their families, with decision-making primarily focused on "funeral format," "grave/interment," and "scope of attendees." A common sentiment among those who started preparations was a strong desire to "not cause trouble for their families." The triggers for these preparations were not always planned, often stemming from personal illness or the loss of a loved one. This highlights the importance of starting to think about these matters little by little while still healthy. ・State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Co., Ltd. and Saijo Hakushima Kaikan." ・Provide a link to Saijo Hakushima Kaikan (https://www.so-gi.co.jp/). ・Provide a link to the relevant article (https://www.so-gi.co.jp/blog/6722/). **[About Saijo Hakushima Kaikan]** Address: 4-20 Hakushima Naka-machi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City Phone: 082-227-9988 **[About NEXER Co., Ltd.]** Headquarters: Rise Arena Building 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013 Representative Director: Yuya Miyata URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp