Top positive aspect of funeral venues: "Calm and warm atmosphere." About 47% desire "a space where family and relatives can spend time without reservation" for their own or family's funeral

What did you feel at the funeral venue?

Many people have likely visited a funeral venue to see someone off.

However, you may not have had many opportunities to reflect carefully on the atmosphere and facilities of the venue.

You might have had good memories, but perhaps also some inconveniences.

Therefore, in collaboration with "Kabe Sosai Hanazono-tei," a residential-style family funeral service, we conducted a survey on "funeral venues" targeting 400 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "have experience attending or participating in funerals of family, relatives, or acquaintances."

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Survey Overview: "Survey on Funeral Venues"

Survey Method: Internet-based questionnaire

Survey Period: May 22, 2026 - May 28, 2026

Target Respondents: Nationwide men and women who responded in a preliminary survey that they "have experience attending or participating in funerals of family, relatives, or acquaintances."

Valid Responses: 400 samples

Questions:

Question 1: Regarding the atmosphere and facilities of funeral venues you have attended, were there any aspects you felt were "good"? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 2: Conversely, were there any aspects of funeral venues you have attended that you found "concerning" or "inconvenient"? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 3: Please explain the reasons and specific situations.

Question 4: Have you ever felt, while attending a funeral, that "the deceased who was seen off at this venue was fortunate"?

Question 5: Please describe specifically what kind of venue or space it was.

Question 6: If you were to hold your own or a family member's funeral, what kind of space would you want attendees to spend time in? (Multiple selections allowed)

Question 7: Please explain the reason for choosing that space.

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

35.3% responded that the funeral venue had "a calm and warm atmosphere throughout the venue."

First, we asked about aspects of the atmosphere and facilities of funeral venues that attendees felt were "good."

The most common response was "a calm and warm atmosphere throughout the venue" at 35.3%.

This was followed by "the waiting and resting areas were spacious and comfortable" at 27.0%, "the location was easily accessible and convenient to visit" at 23.5%, and "the waiting rooms and dining rooms were comfortable and well-equipped" at 19.5%.

On the other hand, 29.5% of respondents answered, "There were no particular aspects that I felt were good."

Voices evaluating the atmosphere created by the space were more prominent than the completeness of the facilities themselves.

While a certain number of attendees finished their visit without having a strong impression of the venue, those who remembered positive aspects tended to have experienced the "ambiance" of the venue.

13.0% responded that the funeral venue was "difficult to access and inconvenient to visit."

Next, we asked about aspects that were "concerning" or "inconvenient."

The most common response was "no particular concerns" at 65.3%.

This was followed by "difficult to access and inconvenient to visit" at 13.0%, "there were not enough places to rest" at 10.0%, and "the waiting area was cramped and not relaxing" at 8.8%.

While many attendees finished without major dissatisfaction, over 30% raised some concerns.

Here is a selection of specific situations and reasons:

Reasons and specific situations:

- There were only two toilets. (20s, Female)

- The waiting room was too small, and nearly half of the relatives couldn't fit. (30s, Male)

- It would have been better if the waiting room was divided into several sections, but there was only one, leaving some people with nowhere to go. (30s, Female)

- I was concerned about the staff being unhelpful. (40s, Female)

- It was far from the nearest station, and I had to take a taxi to get there. (40s, Male)

- It was cold and the heating wasn't working well, which was problematic. (40s, Female)

Complaints were seen regarding venue facilities such as the number of toilets, the size of waiting and resting rooms, and air conditioning.

Additionally, there were comments about the distance from the nearest station requiring a taxi, suggesting that not only the comfort within the venue but also the ease of access influences attendees' impressions of a funeral venue.

38.0% responded that they have "felt that the deceased who was seen off at this venue was fortunate."

From here, we changed the perspective slightly and asked if respondents had ever felt, while attending a funeral, that "the deceased who was seen off at this venue was fortunate."

The results were 38.0% "yes" and 62.0% "no."

Nearly 40% felt "this person was fortunate" while witnessing the farewell.

We asked those who answered "yes" to describe the venue and space, and here is a selection:

What kind of venue or space was it?

- The atmosphere of the crematorium was calm. (20s, Male)

- Because it was a warm space and I felt the love of the family. (20s, Female)

- It had a very warm atmosphere. It was a family funeral, but it suited the deceased's calm demeanor, and I thought it was a good space. It had warm colors. (30s, Female)

- Because they were seen off by many people, including children and grandchildren. (30s, Female)

- Flowers and mementos of the deceased were displayed, creating an atmosphere where one could remember the deceased. (40s, Female)

- It was a venue where we could take our time saying goodbye to family. (40s, Female)

Responses included a calm atmosphere, a warm space, and a venue that suited the deceased's personality. Some also mentioned the display of flowers and mementos, and the ability to spend time saying goodbye to family as memorable points.

Funeral venues appear to be perceived not just as places for ceremonies, but as spaces for bereaved families and attendees to see off the deceased peacefully while feeling the deceased's individuality.

47.3% desire "a space where family and relatives can spend time without reservation" for their own or family's funeral

Finally, we asked what kind of space attendees would want for their own or a family member's funeral.

The most common response was "a space where family and relatives can spend time without reservation" at 47.3%.

This was followed by "an easily accessible and convenient venue" at 30.8%, "a warm space where one can relax like at home" at 25.5%, and "a quiet and solemn atmosphere" at 24.8%.

Being able to spend time without reservation, being easy to visit, and being relaxing.

The top responses suggest a desire to be seen off in a calm space, without being overly bound by formality.

We also asked for the reasons behind choosing these spaces, and here is a selection:

Respondents who chose "a space where family and relatives can spend time without reservation"

- It would be troublesome if people I don't usually see or don't even know attended. (30s, Female)

- I get nervous if there are people I'm not very familiar with. (30s, Female)

- Since it costs money, it's better to spend time with just family without reservation. (30s, Female)

Respondents who chose "an easily accessible and convenient venue"

- Ease of access is important. (20s, Female)

- So that people with mobility issues can visit easily. (30s, Female)

- To reduce the burden on people coming from afar. (30s, Male)

Respondents who chose "a warm space where one can relax like at home"

- Because I want to be seen off in a calm and gentle space. (20s, Female)

- I don't want a tense atmosphere. (30s, Male)

- Because I want to be seen off with warm feelings. (40s, Female)

We heard requests for spending time calmly with family and relatives, and for ease of access as consideration for those coming from afar or with mobility issues. Additionally, those who chose "a warm space where one can relax like at home" expressed a preference for calmness and warmth over tension.

It appears that farewell venues are expected not only to be grand in formality but also to provide a sense of security that allows those left behind to spend time comfortably.

Summary

In this survey, the most frequently cited positive aspect of funeral venues was not the luxury of the facilities, but the "calm and warm atmosphere." On the other hand, the top concerns included poor accessibility and insufficient waiting/resting areas.

Furthermore, regarding the desired space for one's own or a family member's funeral, many voices emphasized the ability to spend time with family without reservation and ease of access.

When choosing a venue, consider not only the grandeur of the building but also the atmosphere that allows attendees to feel at ease and the ease of access.

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[About Kabe Sosai Hanazono-tei]

Location: 4-24-6 Kabe, Asakita-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, 731-0221

Business Activities: Funerals, memorial services, Buddhist altar and tool sales, household goods disposal, grave relocation, sea scattering, vacant house demolition & sales brokerage, perpetual care arrangements, proxy burial arrangements

[About NEXER Group Inc.]

Headquarters: Rise Arena Building 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 170-0013

Representative Director: Yuya Miyata

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

Business Activities: SEO, Web Branding, Web Advertising, Website Production, Media