This article explores the history, rituals, mourning customs and post-funeral activities surrounding death in Japan. It covers ancient rituals such as funerals and memorial services, modern Buddhist influences on attitudes towards death, funeral processions and burials, offerings of food or money at gravesites, mourning customs such as wearing black clothing for up to six months after someone dies, memorial services and graveside visits, and post-funeral activities such as Obon festivals held each year in memory of those who have passed away.