Japan continues to see troubles related to funeral fees

In recent years, Japan has experienced a surge in complaints about funeral fees, as complex pricing structures have become prevalent among funeral service providers. The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan reported that consumer affairs centers nationwide handled 917 consultations on funeral services in fiscal 2025, a significant increase from 632 consultations in fiscal 2019. The number of consultations reached 900 for the first time in 2022 and has remained high since then.

Out of the consultations, 52.6% were related to complaints about high prices and fees. This trend is attributed to the growing popularity of scaled-down funerals in Japan, such as private memorial services, one-day funerals, and direct funerals. While these options may seem cost-effective, they often lead to additional charges, resulting in bills that exceed the advertised price.

A woman who lost her mother shared her experience with a funeral home that advertised a family funeral for ¥500,000. Upon further inquiry, she discovered that the price included only a secular funeral, while a religious one would cost ¥1.4 million. Extra fees for expenses like hosting a meal for mourners added up, causing her to pay over ¥2 million in total.

Funeral consultant Kyoichi Matsuse noted that the demand for affordable funerals with small attendance has been growing since the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has led to a decline in prices per funeral. However, Matsuse warns that this may cause some funeral homes to employ deceptive tactics. He pointed out that the pricing structure varies among funeral service providers, with some including altar items in their basic plan while others do not.

Additionally, some funeral homes outsource services like meals and return gifts, making it difficult for consumers to grasp the total costs.