About 76% Say It's "Good" to Reflect a Deceased Person's Hobbies and Preferences at Funerals; About 68% Want to Incorporate "Their Personality" into Farewell Scenes

Awareness Survey on "Farewells Expressing the Deceased's Personality"

In recent years, the forms of farewells have been changing significantly.

Interest is growing not only in traditional funerals that emphasize formality but also in ways of seeing off the deceased that subtly reflect their hobbies and personality.

Playing their favorite music, displaying cherished items, offering their favorite foods.

How do people feel about these farewells that express "their personality"?

Therefore, we conducted a survey on "Farewells Expressing the Deceased's Personality" targeting 500 men and women nationwide, in collaboration with Jiyuni Kazokusou.

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Survey Overview: "Farewells Expressing the Deceased's Personality" Survey

Survey Method: Internet-based questionnaire

Survey Period: June 15, 2026 - June 22, 2026

Target Respondents: Men and women nationwide

Valid Responses: 500 samples

Questions:

Question 1: What do you think about reflecting the deceased's hobbies, preferences, and personality (e.g., playing their favorite music, displaying items related to their hobbies, offering their favorite foods) at funerals and farewells?

Question 2: Please tell us the reason.

Question 3: Do you think you would like to "try or accept" new styles of farewells that are not bound by traditional formats, such as saying goodbye at a memorable location or scattering ashes at sea or in the mountains?

Question 4: Please tell us the reason.

Question 5: Do you want to incorporate "your personality" into your own or a loved one's farewell?

Question 6: Please tell us the reason why you want to incorporate it.

Question 7: Please tell us specifically what you would like to incorporate.

*Note: In principle, figures are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not be 100%.

76.0% Responded That It Is "Better to Incorporate" the Deceased's Hobbies and Personality into Farewell Scenes

First, we asked people what they thought about reflecting the deceased's hobbies, preferences, and personality at funerals and farewells.

22.6% responded "I definitely think it should be incorporated," and 53.4% responded "I think it's better to incorporate it, rather than not." In total, 76.0% responded positively to incorporating the deceased's personality into farewells.

On the other hand, 5.2% responded "I think it's better not to incorporate it," and 18.8% responded "I think it's better not to incorporate it."

This suggests that many people are accepting of farewells that reflect the deceased's hobbies and personality, rather than being bound solely by formality.

We also asked for the reasons behind each response, and here are some examples:

Reasons for Incorporation:

* Because it is an event to remember the deceased. (20s, Male) * I want them to be surrounded by things they loved. (20s, Male) * Because I believe it respects their individuality. (20s, Female) * I think it's the best way for them. (20s, Male) * Because I want to end with their favorite things. (20s, Female) * Perhaps it helps the bereaved to sort out their feelings. (20s, Female)

Reasons for Non-Incorporation:

* If it were me, I'd be so sad reminiscing about memories that I wouldn't be able to greet funeral attendees. (40s, Female) * Because it costs money. (20s, Male) * Because attendees might feel uncomfortable or perceive it as disrespectful. (30s, Male)

Many cited reasons related to consideration for the deceased, such as "to remember the deceased," "to respect their individuality," and "to see them off surrounded by their favorite things."

There are also opinions that incorporating the deceased's personality makes it easier for those who are left behind to recall memories and helps them to come to terms with their loss.

On the other hand, concerns were raised about the financial burden and the possibility of attendees feeling uncomfortable.

While there are many positive opinions about farewells that express the deceased's personality, it seems that some people feel that consideration is necessary in how it is done.

49.4% Responded That They "Want to Try or Accept" New Farewell Styles Not Bound by Formality

Next, we asked about new styles of farewells not bound by traditional formats, such as saying goodbye at a memorable location or scattering ashes at sea or in the mountains.

14.4% responded "I definitely want to try or accept it," and 35.0% responded "I'd rather want to try or accept it." In total, 49.4% are positive about new styles of farewells.

On the other hand, 23.8% responded "I'd rather not want to try or accept it," and 26.8% responded "I don't want to try or accept it."

We also asked for the reasons behind each response, and here are some examples:

Reasons for Wanting to Try or Accept:

* Because funerals are not just about being sad. (20s, Female) * Because it will be a lasting memory. (30s, Male) * Because I want to be cheerful until the very end. (20s, Male) * I want them to be able to do it in their favorite place. (30s, Male) * Because it seems less burdensome for those left behind. (30s, Female)

Reasons for Not Wanting to Try or Accept:

* Because it makes me sad that the ashes will disappear somewhere. (30s, Female) * I don't want to do anything that increases costs. (40s, Male) * Because I prefer the usual way. (20s, Female)

There were positive responses accepting new forms of farewell, such as "funerals are not just about being sad," "I want to be cheerful until the very end," and "because it will be a lasting memory."

There were also opinions like "I want them to be able to do it in their favorite place," which prioritize the deceased's wishes and hopes over formality.

On the other hand, there were also feelings of sadness regarding scattering ashes, concerns about costs, and a desire for the traditional way.

While some people still feel resistant to new styles of farewells, many want to choose a send-off that cherishes the deceased's personality and creates lasting, fond memories.

68.2% Responded That They Want to Incorporate "Their Personality" into Farewell Scenes

Next, we asked if people want to incorporate "their personality" into their own or a loved one's farewell.

15.6% responded "I definitely want to incorporate it," and 52.6% responded "I'd rather want to incorporate it." In total, 68.2% want to incorporate "their personality" into farewells.

On the other hand, 12.2% responded "I'd rather not want to incorporate it," and 19.6% responded "I don't want to incorporate it."

This suggests that many people are positive about send-offs that reflect the deceased's hobbies, personality, and memories, rather than just formality, for their own or a loved one's farewell.

We asked for the reasons why they want to incorporate it, and here are some examples:

Reasons for Wanting to Incorporate "Their Personality":

* Because I want them to go to the afterlife as themselves. (20s, Female) * I want to respect the deceased to the fullest. (20s, Male) * Because if it's someone important, I want to be able to say goodbye while recalling good memories by incorporating their personality. (20s, Female) * Because it shows how they lived their life. (30s, Male) * I think it's wonderful to see someone off in a way that reflects their personality. (30s, Female) * Because it allows for a heartfelt farewell. (30s, Male)

Many cited reasons related to respect and consideration for the deceased, such as "I want them to depart as themselves" and "I want to respect the deceased to the fullest."

There are also people who believe that incorporating their personality will make the farewell a more meaningful time for those who are left behind, saying things like "I want to say goodbye while recalling good memories" and "because it allows for a heartfelt farewell."

We also asked what specifically they would like to incorporate.

Specific Items to Incorporate:

* Play their favorite music. (20s, Male) * Put things the deceased loved in the coffin. (20s, Male) * Play music the deceased liked, etc. (20s, Female) * Photos and items related to their hobbies. (30s, Female) * Favorite foods and drinks, hobby items, cherished possessions, etc. (30s, Female) * Visit places they loved. (30s, Female)

Specific items to incorporate included music, photos, hobby items, and favorite foods and drinks. All of these are things that evoke memories and personality of the deceased, and they seem to be considered as ways to feel closer to the deceased during the send-off, rather than special performances.

There was also a comment about "visiting places they loved," suggesting that some people consider extending the farewell beyond the funeral venue to places that hold memories with the deceased.

Summary

In this survey, 76.0% responded that it is "better to incorporate" the deceased's hobbies and personality into funerals and farewells.

Furthermore, 68.2% of people want to incorporate "their personality" into their own or a loved one's farewell, indicating a growing interest in "send-offs that reflect the individual."

Therefore, it is important to discuss what kind of farewell you desire with your family while you are healthy. Additionally, knowing about funeral formats and plans that can flexibly accommodate the wishes of the deceased and family early on may lead to a send-off without regrets.

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* Indicate that the source is "Survey by NEXER Group Inc. and Jiyuni Kazokusou". * Include a link to Jiyuni Kazokusou (https://jiyuni-kazokusou.jp/)

[About Jiyuni Kazokusou]

Company Name: MEMORED GROUP Inc.

Representative Director: Takashi Yoshida

Tokyo Head Office: Otemachi Nomura Building 9F, 2-1-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Phone Number: 0120-107-556

URL: https://jiyuni-kazokusou.jp/

[About NEXER Inc.]

Head Office: Rise Arena Bldg. 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013

Representative Director: Yuya Miyata

URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp

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