Translation guide
A ceremony to honor and remember someone who has died. In Japanese culture, this is most commonly a Buddhist memorial service, but can also refer to secular or other religious ceremonies.
The most common type of memorial service in Japan, held at specific intervals after death (e.g., 49th day, 1st anniversary) and on anniversaries.
General term for a Buddhist memorial service, often involving a priest chanting sutras and family gathering.
Next week, we have a memorial service for my grandfather.
A more formal term for a Buddhist memorial service, often used in written contexts or by temples.
A memorial ceremony, often secular or for public figures, focusing on remembrance and tribute.
Specific memorial services held on the anniversary of a person's death, often with family gatherings.
A service or visit at the grave to honor the deceased, often involving cleaning and offering flowers/incense.
A memorial service that is not specifically Buddhist, such as a Christian memorial or a secular gathering to remember someone.
A gathering to remember and mourn the deceased, often used for secular or community memorials.
法事 is the common, everyday term for a Buddhist memorial service. 法要 is more formal and often used in official announcements or by temples. Both refer to the same event, but 法要 sounds more ceremonial.
We had a meal after the memorial service.
四十九日の法要を営みました。
We held the 49th-day memorial service.
A memorial service for the war dead was held.
The anniversary of a death; often used in phrases like '命日の法要' (memorial service on the anniversary).
On the anniversary of my father's death, the family gathers.
A memorial service held on a specific anniversary year (e.g., 1st, 3rd, 7th, 13th). Often combined with a number, like 一周忌 (first anniversary).
We held the third-anniversary memorial service.
Visiting a grave to pay respects, often on anniversaries or during Obon. Not a formal service but a common memorial act.
I go to visit the family grave during Obon.
I attended the local memorial gathering.
A memorial ceremony, often for a group or event, like a memorial for disaster victims.
A memorial service for the earthquake disaster was held.
法要は午前10時からです。
The memorial service starts at 10 a.m.
A memorial service (法事/法要) is distinct from a funeral (葬式/葬儀). The funeral is held soon after death, while memorial services are held later on specific anniversaries.