Technology Facilitates Ritual at Japanese Cemetery

In Japan, a novel solution has been found for overcrowded cemeteries - high rise columbarium condos with a high tech vending machine style retrieval system. Families insert a card at an altar and the urn of their loved one is brought to them for a visit.

This innovation shows that when something is important enough, we can find ways to facilitate it. For other posts on cemetery crowding and solutions, visit:

• Sharing a Grave: Urban Cemetery Solutions
• Japanese Cemeteries Fill Up While American Cemeteries Become Irrelevant
• Zoned Out
• Making Cemeteries Relevant: Innovation in Toronto