Cremated Ashes Sent Away in 'Balloon'... Japan's 'Balloon Funeral' Spreads

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Japan Recorded 770,000 Births and 1,570,000 Deaths Last Year

In Japan, which is struggling with low birth rates and an aging population, a so-called 'balloon funeral' culture is spreading. This is a ritual where the ashes of a cremated body are placed in a balloon and sent flying into the sky.

Recently, the British current affairs weekly The Economist focused on Japan's balloon funerals. The publication stated, "Traditionally in Japan, bodies are cremated after death and the ashes are buried in the ground," adding, "However, in an aging and secular society, this is becoming increasingly difficult."

It continued, "Japan's mortality rate is also soaring," noting, "Last year, Japan recorded 1.5 million deaths, the highest number since World War II. This has led to a shortage of cemetery space."

[Image source=Pixabay]

It further analyzed, "There are fewer relatives to hold funerals or tend graves and mourn. As a result, the rituals surrounding death in Japan are changing."

The publication cited the 'balloon funeral' as an example. This funeral is also called 'Pungseonjang' or 'Haneuljang' and costs about 240,000 yen (approximately 2.15 million KRW). It was created by a Japanese company called 'Balloon Kobo.'

The funeral method is relatively simple. The ashes of the deceased are placed in a large balloon with a diameter of 2 to 2.5 meters and sent flying. The balloon reaches the stratosphere at an altitude of about 40 to 50 km, where it bursts due to pressure differences. Then, the ashes scatter in the sky. The entire process reportedly takes about three hours.

Companies conducting balloon funerals and bereaved families explain that the ashes carried by the wind decompose in the soil, making it environmentally friendly and symbolizing a return to nature.

Meanwhile, Japan's total fertility rate last year was 1.26, the lowest since 2005. The number of births was 770,747, the lowest since statistics began in 1899. On the other hand, the number of deaths increased to 1,568,961, resulting in a natural population decrease of 798,214.