Embrace Change This Obon: Discussing End-of-Life Plans with Family
As the Obon season approaches, many of us may feel compelled to initiate important discussions with family about end-of-life matters, including burial arrangements, wills, and even how to handle personal belongings after passing. However, these conversations can often feel daunting and awkward. In response to this pressing need, a new initiative,
Hasunomi, has been launched, providing free consultations regarding various end-of-life services.
The key figures behind this initiative are Kōdai Furutani, a TikTok monk with over 180,000 followers, and Keiko Sugure, an administrative scrivener specializing in inheritance and grave closures. Together, they have established the Enku LLC to address these critical life transitions that many individuals and families face. One central aspect of their offering is a
Q&A website called
Hasunomi, designed to aid individuals struggling with these discussions.
About Hasunomi
Hasunomi allows users to ask questions related to end-of-life issues without any charge. Topics covered include posthumous affairs, inheritance, grave closures, and even mental health consultations regarding life transitions like retirement. With a growing number of certified funeral counselors and specialists contributing to the site, the resource offers a wider understanding of these important topics.
The Importance of Awareness
Currently, 1/3 of the respondents on the site are monks, 1/3 are licensed professionals, and the remaining 1/3 consists of various experts from relevant fields. There is a significant lack of transparency in both the funeral and temple sectors; citizens often find themselves lost when researching funeral options or understanding the costs involved.
In many cases, families are left to navigate these tough decisions without guidance, leading to confusion and often regret. Kōdai Furutani highlights this issue, emphasizing that there is a pressing need for increased literacy around funeral services and related topics. As such,
Enku aims to dismantle the barriers of knowledge that exist in funeral planning.
Addressing Ambiguity in Funeral Practices
Furutani reflects on the past, noting how families once relied on telephone books to find local funeral homes, but today, a simple search yields a flood of options, often with little insight into the quality or ethics of the services provided. There is an urgent need for comparison resources similar to
Price.com that can transparently guide citizens toward reliable funeral services.
Many people find themselves in situations where they need to arrange a funeral only once or twice in their lives, often encountering unexpected challenges. This pipeline of repetitive issues stems from a lack of resources and transparency, making the prospect of planning even more daunting. It is essential that individuals understand the importance of discussing these plans in advance, particularly during family gatherings like Obon.
Transitioning Towards Funeral Counseling
Keiko Sugure, who serves as the administrative manager at Enku, aims to shift the perspective of funeral planning by positioning temples as community hubs for end-of-life discussions. Having worked closely with various religious organizations, she has proposed integrating funeral counseling into the routines of local temples, creating a network to support families during difficult times.
While substantial progress has been made in raising awareness, there are still significant obstacles, particularly at the local level. Many temple officials are overextended with other responsibilities, thus neglecting the potential service they could provide to their communities.
Building the Future
Engagement is key to forging more profound connections. The Enku team seeks to empower individuals to champion their needs, suggesting ideas such as establishing 'dementia cafes' and peer discussions around end-of-life concerns directly at temples. Such initiatives could transform these spaces into welcoming environments conducive to such essential conversations.
Additionally, Enku hosts monthly Zoom sessions on various end-of-life topics, helping to educate family members on pressing questions they may encounter. Participation is open to anyone interested in exploring funeral counseling, drawing interest from both monks and the general public to share their stories and experiences.
Moving Forward
In summary, the launch of Hasunomi represents more than just a new resource; it is a compelling movement to improve the overall approach to end-of-life planning within families. As this conversation grows and becomes more commonplace, it will alleviate the pressures associated with these inevitable discussions. Ultimately, as we navigate through life's seasons, especially during significant periods like Obon, it's crucial to foster these connections within families, equipped with the understanding and resources to tackle end-of-life matters together.
For anyone wishing to learn more about the Hasunomi initiative or seeking consultation, please visit the website:
Enku LLC