"Don't Hold Jesa"... More Than Half of Adults Have No Jesa Plans

Results of the Sungkyunkwan Ritual Establishment Committee Investigation
November 2, Announcement of the 'Modernized Ancestral Rite Recommendations'

As times change, the number of people who do not intend to hold ancestral rites is increasing. Currently, 6 out of 10 adults perform these rites, but only about 4 express the intention to continue doing so.

The appearance of the 'Simple Ancestral Rite Table' proposed by the Sungkyunkwan Ritual Establishment Committee.
[Photo by Sungkyunkwan Ritual Establishment Committee]

According to the results of the "National Perception Survey on Ritual Culture" conducted on the 30th by the Sungkyunkwan Ritual Establishment Committee through the research agency ResearchView, targeting 1,500 adults aged 20 and over, 55.9% of respondents said they do not plan to hold ancestral rites in the future. Those who answered that they plan to hold rites accounted for 44.1%.

Considering that 62.2% currently perform ancestral rites, it appears that the number of people continuing these rites will significantly decrease.

In this survey, the most common reason for not wanting to hold ancestral rites was "It is better to simplify or replace them with family gatherings," cited by 41.2% of respondents. The answer "Ancestral rites are no longer necessary due to changes in the times" accounted for 27.8%, and 13.7% cited "religious reasons or beliefs."

Those who intend to continue holding rites gave reasons such as "to honor ancestors" (42.4%), "to interact with family members" (23.4%), "to carry on parents' wishes" (15.9%), and "to maintain tradition" (10.0%).

When asked about the most needed improvements in holding ancestral rites, respondents pointed to simplifying ritual foods (25.0%). This was followed by ▲simplification of formalities (19.9%), ▲joint participation of men and women (17.7%), ▲new forms of rites combining tradition and modernity (17.2%), and ▲changing the time of the rites (5.3%).

The Sungkyunkwan Ritual Establishment Committee plans to announce the "Modernized Ancestral Rites Recommendation" on the 2nd of next month, considering these survey results and the characteristics of modern society.

The recommendation will include proposals regarding the "Gililje" (忌日祭), the memorial rites held on the anniversary of a parent's or ancestor's death, guiding families to prepare naturally with everyday table foods and to offer the deceased's favorite dishes. It is also expected to include provisions allowing families to hold rites in the early evening if agreed upon.

However, Sungkyunkwan emphasizes that this recommendation is intended for general households and is distinguished from the rites of the Confucian scholars (Yurim).