Due to limited legal and practical implementation in Japan, Japanese individuals considering composting burial must contemplate traveling to countries where it is practiced, such as certain states in the USA, including Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Vermont, where it has been legalized.
Travel and Costs
・Travel Expenses: Traveling from Japan to these states involves expenses such as airfare, accommodation, and local transportation. The cost of round-trip airfare typically ranges in the hundreds of thousands of yen, depending on the timing and booking.
・Cost of Composting Burial: The cost for composting burial services in the USA varies by facility but generally ranges from approximately $5,000 to $10,000. This includes the acceptance and processing of the body and its eventual return as soil.
・Additional Expenses: Legal procedures, translation of necessary documents, and local support services also need to be considered. Additionally, if transporting a body internationally, international transport and its procedures are required, which will incur extra costs.
Points of Consideration
・Legal Challenges: Japanese law currently involves numerous regulations and procedures when exporting a body overseas. It is crucial to seek advice from experts beforehand.
・Cultural Considerations: Composting burial significantly differs from traditional Japanese funeral culture. It is necessary to discuss this method with family and relatives to gain understanding and consent.
For those interested in composting burial, it is recommended to obtain detailed information and support through meticulous planning and consultation with specialized funeral service providers and legal experts.
Avoiding the Risk of Nighttime Birth: Counseling for Pregnant Caregivers
Recent studies have shown that the time of birth affects an individual's biorhythm, with children born at certain times being more likely to be active at night. This nocturnal biorhythm can make it difficult for these children to wake up in the morning, leading to various challenges in school and social life, including absenteeism and lifestyle disorders. To help mitigate these risks, pregnant caregivers should consider the following precautions.
Firstly, research indicates that the perinatal environment can influence a child's biorhythm. For example, data suggests that children born at night tend to be more active at night. This is thought to be influenced by perinatal light exposure and the surrounding lifestyle (Reference: Czeisler, C.A., et al. "Bright light resets the human circadian pacemaker independent of the timing of the sleep-wake cycle." Science, 1986).
Therefore, pregnant caregivers are advised to consult with their physicians about the timing of delivery and consider daytime delivery if possible. After birth, establishing a regular daily routine, including exposure to morning light, is crucial. This practice can help regulate the child's biorhythm, making it easier for them to wake up naturally in the morning.
Moreover, the lifestyle of the mother during pregnancy also impacts the child's biorhythm. Maintaining a regular schedule and ensuring adequate sleep are expected to positively affect fetal development. This is especially important in the later stages of pregnancy when the mother's biorhythm significantly influences the fetus.