A Visit To The Cemetery

Today we went to the cemetery to visit the family plot. Mio's mother's ashes reside here. Also residing here are Mio's fraternal grandparents and two uncles on her father's side. People in Japan get cremated and their ashes are either placed in a family cemetery plot like this, or they are placed in a mausoleum. Most are in a family plot like this one.

The cemetery is really huge. It consists of small plots about 5' X 8' with rock, brick and marble dedications to the family members' spirits. It is Buddhist in nature. Those remembered here have their ashes buried here.

When the family comes to pay their respects, they purchase flowers for the main statue, purchase incense to burn, and fill a special container with water for the flowers and to pour over the main statue to provide a drink for the family members.

Once the flowers are placed in their holders and watered, the incense are placed in their spot. Then water is poured over the main statue to provide water for the family members. Prayers are said and then the family is done.

It took us over 1 hour to drive the 18 miles to this place. The side roads are very slow. The boys thought it was pretty neat, even if they had to ride over 1 hour back home.