#Japan #Digital Transformation #Funeral Service #Smart Reservation #Gifu, Okinawa

A New Era in Funeral Services: The Digital Transformation

As the time approaches for the traditional Obon festivities in Japan, there is a noticeable increase in interest regarding life closure and funerary practices. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the estimated number of deaths in 2024 is projected to reach 1.62 million, representing a consistent increase for the fourth consecutive year, with estimates suggesting a peak of approximately 1.67 million around 2040. This trend indicates an impending rise in demand for cremation services across the nation.

In response to this need, Hida City in Gifu Prefecture and the Ishikawa Cemetery Foundation in Uruma City, Okinawa, have taken steps towards digitalizing their cremation reservation systems, an initiative expected to roll out fully in 2025. The online system has notably reduced the need for phone communication regarding cremation reservations to nearly zero, with estimates showing a decrease of around 560 reservations exclusively managed online in Hida City. Moreover, the introduction of this digital system has mostly eradicated the need to interrupt administrative duties or make emergency calls during night shifts. The Ishikawa Cemetery Foundation has reported an impressive 10% increase in operational efficiency and contributed to the region's capacity to accommodate more cremations.

Challenges of the Traditional System

Historically, the process relied on analog methods. Staff members at crematoriums and municipal offices had to document the deceased's details, including cremation times, on paper, which were subsequently transmitted via fax to relevant parties. This reliance on outdated methods often resulted in delays in scheduling and the risk of double bookings. In an effort to modernize this process, a new digital solution was developed specifically tailored for the needs of cremation service management, demonstrating significant improvements in operational efficiency and reduction of phone response times.

Benefits of Digital Reservation Systems

Hida City Case Study

• - Introduced through open competitive bidding
• - Elimination of phone and fax communications
• - Annual savings of around 560 working hours
• - Resolution of night shift call interruptions

Ishikawa Cemetery Foundation Case Study

• - Inquiry levels dropped from 30 calls to close to one
• - Round-the-clock reservations allowing immediate confirmations, even at night
• - An operational improvement of roughly 10%
• - Increased capacity to accommodate cremations within the prefecture

Advantages for Families

Families can now use their smartphones to check availability at their chosen funeral service provider and complete the reservation immediately. This facilitates timely arrangements for funerals and ensures that logistics can begin without unnecessary delays.

Voices from the Field

Comments from Hida City Municipal Office

"With the implementation of the smart cremation reservation system, funeral homes can instantly verify available cremation times and make immediate reservations, eliminating the need for phone calls to the city office. Our staff has noticed a significant reduction in direct phone inquiries during office hours and night shifts, leading to a smoother and more efficient cremation reservation process. We are relieved that we no longer have to juggle busy lines while trying to accommodate scheduling requests."

Comments from Ishikawa Cemetery Foundation

"We have seen a dramatic drop in phone inquiries, which previously reached up to 30 per day, thanks to the system's digitalization. The ability to make reservations 24/7 has led to minimal interruptions in our daily operations, and we’ve experienced firsthand a significant improvement in service delivery efficiency. Implementing a simplified interface has also made it easier for elderly funeral directors to navigate the system effectively. This has freed up our time to provide better support for our users, enabling us to continually enhance our offerings for the local community."

Key Features of the Smart Cremation Reservation System

• - 24/7 Real-Time Reservations: Accessible via PC, smartphone, or tablet, with options for cancellations.
• - Permission-based Calendar: Visual availability to prevent double bookings.
• - Automated Notifications: Alerts for reservation confirmations and updates.
• - CSV Output: Efficient bulk management of reservations and client data.
• - Pet Cremation Mode: Dedicated operations preventing overlaps with human cremation services.

About LDT Corporation

• - Name: LDT Corporation
• - CEO: Kazuya Shiraishi
• - Established: September 20, 2019
• - Headquarters: 2-3-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
• - Branches: Fukuoka and Saga
• - Business: Offering AgeTech platforms, software development, and consultancy relevant to AgeTech.

Website and Services

LDT is pioneering solutions in the funeral industry through its Smart Funeral and Smart Funeral Job services aimed at enhancing support and operational capabilities for funeral service providers.