also: といあげ
last death anniversary memorial service
Buddhist term for the final memorial service held for a deceased person, typically the 32nd or 49th anniversary of their death, after which no further regular memorials are held.
See also: 三十三回忌
We held the final memorial service for my grandmother on the 32nd anniversary of her death.
弔い上げが済むと、故人は先祖の仲間入りをすると考えられている。
It is believed that once the last memorial service is completed, the deceased joins the ancestors.
General term for death anniversary memorial services; 弔い上げ is the final one in the series.
Standard kanji spelling for the Buddhist memorial service.
Alternate kanji spelling, possibly ateji; the reading といあげ is less common.
Compound of 弔い (tomurai, 'mourning, memorial service') and 上げ (age, 'raising, finishing'). The term refers to the completion or 'raising up' of the mourning process.