Transportation of cremated remains for grave clearance,
A chauffeur in formal attire will accompany you.
In today’s world, where the declining birth rate and the trend towards nuclear families are accelerating, we work closely with our customers to transport the urns of their ancestors with sincerity and care.
Enquiries and bookings free of chargeWe are hearing the term ‘grave closure’ more and more often. With the declining birth rate and the rise of nuclear families, the number of households with no one to take over the family grave is increasing rapidly. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare,The number of reburials in the 2023 financial year reached a record high of approximately 166,886We have reached this milestone. At such an important moment, Jumbo Taxi.com will attend to your needs with the utmost courtesy.
Number of reburials (a record high)
Rate of increase in grave clearance
(2023: lowest on record)
Why is the number of grave clearances rising so sharply right now?
In Japan, where nuclear families are becoming more common and the population is ageing with fewer children, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain family graves that have been passed down through the generations. Many people are considering closing their family graves because their children or heirs have moved to distant locations such as urban areas or overseas, or because they do not wish to place a burden on their children.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of grave closures rose from approximately 88,000 in the 2013 financial year to around 167,000 in the 2023 financial year, effectively doubling in just ten years. This indicates that this is no longer a matter limited to a few special circumstances, but has become a realistic option for many families.
The main reasons why people choose to close a grave
Cases where there are no children, or where any children live far away and there is no one to look after the grave.
There are cases where people decide to close their family grave whilst still alive, out of a desire not to burden their descendants with the hassle of maintaining it in the future.
Cases where people have moved away from their home town to urban areas, making it difficult to visit and maintain graves located far away.
Cases where annual maintenance and repair costs place a strain on the household budget, leading to the decision to sell.
The Process of Grave Clearance and the Necessary Procedures
Closing a grave involves various steps, both emotionally and in terms of the formalities. The important thing is,Proceed in the correct orderIn particular, legal authorisation is required for the transfer of human remains.
Steps for closing a grave
To avoid disputes amongst family members, it is important to discuss the matter thoroughly with everyone concerned in advance.
We will secure new arrangements in advance, such as perpetual care graves, tree burials and columbaria.
In order to reinter remains from their current grave to another location, the Act on Cemeteries and Burials requires that a reinterment permit be obtained from the mayor of the municipality where the grave is located. A separate application must be submitted for each set of remains.
We will ask a priest to perform a ritual to deactivate the grave’s function as a resting place for the deceased.
The stonemason will remove the gravestone and retrieve the remains.When it comes to getting around, leave it to Jumbo Taxi.com.As this is a passenger service, you must be accompanied by a passenger when using it.
Submit the reinterment permit to the administrator of the new cemetery or similar facility, and proceed with the burial or interment of the remains.
The act of moving cremated remains is legally referred to as ‘reinterment’, and you must obtain a reinterment permit from the local council where the grave is currently located. Moving the remains without following the proper procedures may constitute a breach of the law, so it is essential to follow the official process. It is advisable to allow approximately one month from the preparation of the documents to the issuance of the permit.
Estimated costs for grave clearance
The total cost of closing a grave typically ranges from 350,000 to 1,500,000 yen. This cost can be broken down into three categories: ‘costs associated with removing the grave’, ‘costs associated with administrative procedures’, and ‘costs associated with the new resting place for the ashes’.
| Types of costs | Approximate cost | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Costs for gravestone removal and site clearance | 100,000–300,000 yen per square metre | Demolition, clearance and site preparation by a stonemason |
| Offering for a Memorial Service for the Deceased (Soul-Removal Ceremony) | 30,000–100,000 yen | Fee for the priest (varies by denomination) |
| Application for a Permit to Reinter a Body | From a few hundred to a few thousand yen | Local authority service fees (including where no fee is charged) |
| Costs for a new burial site | From 50,000 to over 1,000,000 yen | The cost varies significantly depending on the option chosen, such as perpetual care graves, tree burials or columbaria |
| Cost of transporting cremated remains | Please request a quote | Please contact Jumbo Taxi.com |
Jumbo Taxi.com’s Urn Transport Service
When it comes to grave clearance, one aspect in particular requires a truly heartfelt approachTransport of cremated remains (urns)At Jumbo Taxi.com, we transport your ancestors’ urns alongside you, with the utmost care and respect.
Our company operates in accordance with the Road Transport ActPassenger transport operatorThat is why,We are unable to accept requests for the transport of urns or cremated remains on their own.Please note that use of this service is conditional upon the customer (or a family member or relative) travelling with you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.
- If you contact us in advance, the driver willSuitable for formal wear
- Please accompany the customerTransporting an urn (passenger must be present)
- It is possible to carry multiple urns or have family members travel with you
- Direct transport from the old cemetery to the new burial site
- Spacious interior in the Jumbo Wagon
- Flexible arrangements to suit early morning and memorial service schedules
- We can also discuss arrangements for transporting the deceased to cemeteries located a long way away
- A quiet journey with privacy assured
Why is a ‘chauffeur in formal attire’ so important?
Closing a grave is not merely a ‘move’. It is a deeply sacred ritual involving the closure of a grave where one’s ancestors have rested for decades or even centuries, and the relocation of their remains to a new site.
At jumbo-taxi.com,If you let us know in advance, the driver will arrive dressed in formal attireWe promise to treat you with the utmost respect and care, as befits the occasion of transporting the remains of a loved one.
Why jumbo taxis are chosen for grave clearance transport
Whether you are transporting several urns or have a large family, the Jumbo Wagon offers plenty of space.
We will adjust your departure time to coincide with the memorial service schedule and the closing ceremony. This ensures you can travel with peace of mind, knowing everything is running to schedule.
We are, of course, fully equipped to handle formal attire, and we ensure a quiet and respectful atmosphere throughout the journey. We strive to provide a service that is sensitive to the feelings of the bereaved family.
We can arrange long-distance transport even if the new resting place is some distance away. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details.
New options for final resting places
In recent years, a wider range of options has become available for what to do with cremated remains following the closure of a grave.
Main types of perpetual memorial services
A natural burial where a tree serves as a gravestone. This method of memorialisation is currently very popular; by 2023, the proportion of people opting for tree burials had exceeded half of all burials.
A form of memorial where cremated remains are enshrined in an indoor facility. As it allows for visits regardless of the weather, this type of memorial is common in urban areas with good transport links.
Scattering cremated remains into the sea. This approach is gaining popularity as it eliminates the need for grave maintenance and allows the remains to return to nature.
Temples and cemeteries manage and perform memorial services on your behalf. This is more cost-effective than a private grave and requires no heir.
If you are considering relocating a grave, please do get in touch
Closing a family grave is by no means the same as ‘abandoning’ it. It is a process of transitioning to a new form of memorialisation that reflects the changing times, whilst maintaining a sense of gratitude towards one’s ancestors.
Jumbo Taxi.com is here to accompany you with the utmost courtesy on those special occasions.If you let us know in advance, our driver will arrive dressed in formal attire.Please feel free to contact us regarding any matter, however minor, such as the number of urns, the destination for transport, or the schedule.
Jumbo Taxi.com is here to serve you today as a transport partner you can trust to look after your family’s precious moments.
Relocation of urns during grave clearance,
Please feel free to get in touch
We transport cremated remains with the utmost care in our formal-wear-appropriate, spacious vans. Please get in touch or make a booking.
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