Death with dignity in the Japanese culture

Abstract In Japanese culture, the concept of death with dignity focuses on enhancing the relationship with significant others (especially with family members) and is expected to continue even after death, unlike the autonomous decision making in Western cultures. Deaths in such relationships are self-worthy, majestic and wished for. The author depicts these traits by describing the worship of sudden death aspiration in a special temple, the death ceremonies repeated even after death which involve even distantly related people, a suicide allusively asking for something, and a joint suicide.