Learn about myousenzi Temple’s perpetual Mizuko memorial service, Buddhist naming, memorial tablet, continuing prayers, service flow, and offering.
What is a perpetual Mizuko memorial?
A perpetual Mizuko memorial includes prayers and a private service before the Mizuko Kannon statue, the giving of a posthumous Buddhist name, and continuing memorial care at Myousenzi Temple.
Your child is remembered during the temple’s daily prayers and with special care on the 18th of every month. This offers reassurance to families who live far away or cannot visit regularly.
Service details and items you will receive
Prayers and a memorial service are conducted before the Mizuko Kannon statue. The service takes approximately 40 minutes.
At a later date, we will contact you again, give your child a posthumous Buddhist name, and prepare a memorial tablet bearing that name.
If you would also like to have ultrasound photographs or a maternity record book memorialized, please bring them with you. After the service, the temple will keep them and respectfully conduct a ceremonial burning. (Items cannot be returned after they have been entrusted to the temple.)
The posthumous name and memorial tablet will be provided later, either in person or by mail.
With the perpetual Mizuko memorial service, prayers are offered during the temple’s daily morning service and with special care on the 18th of every month.
Items you will receive on the day of the service
Myousenzi card-style protective charmMemorial tablet used during the service
Item provided later in person or by mail
+ EnlargeMemorial tablet inscribed with the posthumous Buddhist name
How the service works
STEP 1
Make a reservation
Please reserve your preferred date and time by telephone or through the inquiry form. Once the service date is confirmed, the offering may be paid in cash in a ceremonial envelope, by credit card in advance, or by PayPay at the temple.
STEP 2
Prepare your offerings
Please bring a bunch of flowers, sweets, and milk. You may also bring ultrasound photographs or a maternity record book if you would like them included in the memorial.
STEP 3
Memorial service
Please enter through the front of the main hall. The priest conducts prayers and a memorial service with a memorial tablet. The service takes approximately 40 minutes.
STEP 4
After the service
After words of guidance from the priest, you will receive the Myousenzi card-style protective charm and the memorial tablet used during the service. Later, the posthumous Buddhist name is given, inscribed on a separate memorial tablet, and consecrated before it is provided in person or mailed for an additional charge.
What to bring
Sweets
Please bring packaged sweets that a child might enjoy.
Please avoid fresh or perishable food.
Milk
You may bring milk as an offering for your child.
Flowers
White or softly colored flowers are suitable.
Flowers with thorns or heavy pollen are not recommended.
Ultrasound photographs
Bring them on the day if you would like them included in the memorial and ceremonial burning.
Items entrusted to the temple cannot be returned.
What to wear
There is no strict dress code. Formal mourning clothes are not required, but calm colors or a simple suit are recommended. Please avoid very bright makeup or large accessories.
Memorial offering and payment
The perpetual memorial offering is 38,000 JPY.
You may pay in cash in a ceremonial envelope, by credit card in advance, or by PayPay at the temple. Credit-card payment instructions will be emailed after the service date is confirmed.
Religious background
Myousenzi Temple welcomes memorial requests regardless of your Buddhist school, denomination, or religious background.
Cancellation policy
We begin preparing the memorial tablet and prayers before the scheduled service. If you need to cancel, please contact us by telephone or email at least one week in advance.
Cancellations within one week, or failure to attend on the day, may be charged in full.