Japan tour buses turned into hearses for families to visit special places alongside deceased
Final journey with the departed may also serve as a source of comfort for those who remain
In Japan, some tour buses have been repurposed as hearses, providing “compassionate” funeral services that enable families to visit meaningful places with their deceased loved ones.
In traditional funerals, the deceased is typically transported by hearse to the funeral home, crematorium, or cemetery, with mourners following in a procession.
However, in Hokkaido, bus hearses have gained popularity as a unique funeral option.
Hokuto Funeral Home in Sapporo offers a bus hearse rental service, with pricing determined by travel distance. For journeys within 10km, the cost is 17,780 yen (US$125), with varying rates depending on the winter and summer seasons.
Reservations can be made via telephone or through the website, and this service is exclusively available in Hokkaido.
According to the company, there are seven types of buses, accommodating up to 40 people and one coffin.