“My parents’ grave is far away, and managing it is difficult…” “I want to close the grave (Haka-jimai), but I’m worried about the paperwork at the city office and negotiations with the temple…”
As society ages, more people are facing these concerns and considering Haka-jimai (dismantling the family grave). However, when they actually try to start, many are overwhelmed by the mountain of tasks: creating complex application documents, arranging the soul-extraction ceremony (Kaigan Kuyo), and coordinating with stone masons.
To give you the conclusion first: if you want to reduce the burden on your time and physical energy and complete the procedures without trouble, hiring a professional agency is the smart choice. By borrowing the hands of professionals, it becomes possible to proceed with the grave closing smoothly and amicably.
In this article, we will explain the specific benefits of hiring an agency for Haka-jimai and 3 key precautions you need to know to avoid regrets.
To ensure you can complete your ancestors’ move with peace of mind, please read to the end and use this as a reference for choosing a provider.
- What is Haka-jimai? The Overview and Difficulty of Doing It Yourself
- 3 Big Benefits of Hiring a Haka-jimai Agency
- 3 Precautions When Hiring a Haka-jimai Agency
- Cost Estimates and Work Scope for Haka-jimai Services
- How to Choose a Haka-jimai Agency Without Failing
- Summary: Choose a Reliable Agency for a Smooth Haka-jimai
What is Haka-jimai? The Overview and Difficulty of Doing It Yourself
Haka-jimai does not simply refer to the construction work of removing the gravestone and clearing the land. It refers to the entire process of removing the remains from the current grave, completing administrative procedures to re-inter them elsewhere, and returning the usage rights of the plot to the administrator. Since this involves not only physical labor but also legal procedures, starting without grasping the full picture often leads to dead ends.
The Basic Flow and Required Time
The general flow of Haka-jimai starts with reaching a consensus among relatives. Next, you decide on a new location for the remains and obtain an “Acceptance Certificate” from the new administrator. Then, you obtain a “Re-interment Application Form” (Kaiso Kyoka Shinseisho) from the municipality where the current grave is located and have the current grave administrator sign and seal a “Certificate of Burial.” You submit these documents to the city office to get a “Re-interment Permit” (Kaiso Kyokasho), which finally allows you to remove the remains. After that, a soul-extraction ceremony is held, the remains are removed, the stone is demolished, and the land is returned. It generally takes several months to over half a year to complete all steps.
Effort and Risks of Doing It Yourself
If you do all these steps yourself, it involves significant effort. City office procedures often must be done during weekdays, which is a heavy burden for those who work. You also need to request quotes from stone masons and negotiate construction details and costs. Furthermore, the process of informing the temple that has cared for your family (leaving the parish, or Ridan) and gaining their understanding can be stressful. Proceeding without specialized knowledge carries risks, such as having to visit the city office multiple times due to document errors or damaging the relationship with the temple, making it difficult to get the necessary certificates.
3 Big Benefits of Hiring a Haka-jimai Agency
While Haka-jimai involves a lot of labor, hiring a professional agency can significantly reduce that burden. Here are the main benefits of using an agency.
1. Leave Complex Admin Procedures and Temple Negotiations to Pros
The biggest benefit is entrusting unfamiliar administrative procedures and coordination to professionals. Drafting documents like the Re-interment Application involves specialized terminology and is complicated, but agencies with in-house or partnered Administrative Scriveners (Gyoseishoshi) can handle these accurately and quickly. Some agencies also handle contact and scheduling with the temple. Having a third party intervene can sometimes help avoid emotional conflicts and keep proceedings business-like.
2. Peace of Mind for Distant Graves! Minimize Travel and On-Site Presence
For those whose family graves are far away, making frequent visits is difficult. Normally, you would need to visit the site multiple times for quote assessments, city office applications, the soul-extraction service, and the removal of remains. However, if you hire an agency, you can delegate most of these on-site tasks. In some cases, you can complete the entire Haka-jimai process via phone, email, and mail without ever visiting the site yourself. This not only saves on travel and accommodation costs but also greatly reduces the time and physical burden.
3. Total Support from Removal to the New Resting Place
Haka-jimai doesn’t end with removing the grave. It includes moving the removed remains to a new location. Many agencies offer not only demolition work but also services like removing the remains, washing and drying them (Senkotsu), and pulverizing them (Funkotsu). Furthermore, an increasing number of agencies offer total support, including introducing perpetual memorial graves (Eitai Kuyo) or arranging ocean scattering. You don’t need to find multiple vendors for each step, allowing you to manage everything through a single point of contact.
3 Precautions When Hiring a Haka-jimai Agency
While agency services are convenient, there are several points to be careful about. Check these before signing a contract to prevent future trouble.
Caution 1: Confirm if There is a “Designated Stone Mason”
Some cemeteries have specific stone masons allowed to work on the premises. This is particularly common in temple graveyards and some private cemeteries, where a “Designated Stone Mason System” exists. If you unknowingly hire a cheap agency you found online, they may be refused entry on the day of construction, or you may face high penalty fees. Before consulting an agency, you must confirm with the grave administrator (temple or cemetery office) whether there are designated vendors.
Caution 2: Clarify the Scope of Work and Conditions for Extra Costs
It is crucial to confirm exactly what is included in the agency’s quote. even if it says “Haka-jimai Complete Set,” the content varies by company. For example, stone removal costs might be included, but removal of the outer fence (Makishi) or the underground chamber (Karoto), monk offerings, or administrative agency fees might not be. Read the contract and quote carefully to understand what is covered and under what conditions extra costs apply.
Examples of Common Cost Troubles
Common troubles include being charged extra on the day of construction because “the foundation was deeper than expected” or “the boundary with the neighboring grave was complex.” Also, in older graves, more remains than anticipated might be found, or remains might be found buried in the earth (Toso) rather than in urns. Earth burials require re-cremation, costing extra. To prepare for such unforeseen situations, ensure a proper on-site survey is conducted beforehand and get an explanation of potential additional costs.
Caution 3: Check Reliability and Licenses (e.g., Administrative Scrivener)
Haka-jimai involves the “Re-interment Application,” an administrative procedure. Legally, only the applicant themselves or a qualified Administrative Scrivener (Gyoseishoshi) or Lawyer can create and submit these documents for a fee as a business. If an agency without qualifications claims to handle the paperwork, it risks being an illegal act. Compliant agencies will clearly state if they have in-house qualified staff or partner with a specific office. Check the operating company’s information, qualifications, and track record to ensure you can trust them.
Cost Estimates and Work Scope for Haka-jimai Services
When using an agency, the cost is a major concern. Fees vary greatly depending on the work content and the size of the grave.
General Fee Guidelines
The market price for stone demolition and removal is generally said to be 100,000 to 150,000 JPY per square meter. In addition to this, administrative agency fees range from several myriad yen to 50,000 JPY, and the offering (Ofuse) for the soul-extraction ceremony ranges from 30,000 to 100,000 JPY. If you request bone removal, shipping, or washing, fees may be added per set of remains. In total, for a standard-sized grave, 300,000 to 500,000 JPY is a common benchmark, though this changes based on location conditions (e.g., whether heavy machinery can access the site).
Plan Types: From “Paperwork Only” to “Full Proxy”
Agencies offer various plans. Some offer “Administrative Procedure Only” plans, while others offer “Demolition Work Only” where you do the paperwork yourself. The most comprehensive is the “Full Proxy Package,” which includes paperwork, arranging the ceremony, construction, and introducing the new interment site. By considering your budget and what you can do yourself, you can keep costs reasonable by selecting only the necessary services. First, organize what you are struggling with and what you want to leave to the pros.
How to Choose a Haka-jimai Agency Without Failing
Finally, here is how to find a reliable partner among the many agencies.
Always Get Quotes from Multiple Companies
Avoid deciding on the first company you find. It is important to get quotes (Aimitsu) from at least 2 or 3 companies to compare costs and service content. By comparing multiple quotes, you can see the appropriate price for that region. Be wary of companies that are extremely cheap, as they may risk illegal dumping or charge high additional fees later. Detailed line items in the quote are also a sign of reliability.
Assess Response Quality and Expertise
The staff’s attitude during your inquiry is also a key judgment criterion. Check if they answer your questions accurately and politely, and if they explain things clearly without overusing jargon. Haka-jimai is a delicate service requiring consideration for the client’s feelings. It is safer to avoid agencies that are too bureaucratic or rush you into a contract. An agency that consults with you sincerely will likely respond faithfully even if unexpected trouble occurs.
Summary: Choose a Reliable Agency for a Smooth Haka-jimai
Haka-jimai is a task requiring specialized knowledge and effort, including administrative procedures, temple coordination, and stone mason arrangements. Doing it all yourself can be a heavy mental and physical burden, but by effectively using a professional agency, you can relieve this burden and proceed smoothly. The key to success is checking for designated stone masons, scrutinizing quote details, verifying qualifications, and comparing multiple agencies. Please find a trusted partner to perform a Haka-jimai that you can be satisfied with, filled with gratitude to your ancestors.
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