What is ofuse?
Ofuse is not a "fee" for sutra reading or a posthumous name - it is framed as an offering to the temple's principal image and a donation to the temple. That is why there is no price list and why priests often say "whatever you feel". In practice, rough reference ranges exist, shaped by region, the family's relationship with the temple, and the rank of the posthumous name.
The figures below summarize ranges widely cited by funeral companies and Buddhist-affairs guides. They vary greatly even within one school - confirm with your family temple or funeral company.
Funeral ofuse: reference ranges by school
Commonly cited ranges for the funeral package (wake and funeral sutra readings plus the posthumous name).
| School | Reference range |
|---|---|
| Jodo Shinshu (Hongwanji / Otani) | 100,000-300,000 yenNo posthumous-name fee concept (homyo); typically lower than other schools |
| Jodo | 150,000-500,000 yenVaries with name rank |
| Soto Zen | 200,000-600,000 yenStrongly rank-dependent (shinji, koji, inkoji...) |
| Shingon | 200,000-500,000 yen |
| Nichiren | 150,000-500,000 yenUses hogo rather than kaimyo |
The ranges are wide because the rank of the posthumous name directly drives the amount - adding an ingo or koji title raises it substantially.
Memorial-service ofuse
| Occasion | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| 49th-day service | 30,000-50,000 yen |
| 1st anniversary | 30,000-50,000 yen |
| 3rd-year rite and later | 10,000-50,000 yen |
| Interment (with a service) | 10,000-50,000 yen |
| Transport allowance (o-kuruma-dai) | 5,000-10,000 yen |
| Meal allowance (o-zen-ryo, if the priest declines the meal) | 5,000-10,000 yen |
Transport and meal allowances go in separate envelopes. Full memorial-service preparation is covered in Memorial Services: What to Prepare.
Envelope and presentation
- Envelope: wrapping in hosho paper is most formal; a plain white envelope (no postal-code boxes) also works. Funeral envelopes with black-and-white cords are not used Find ofuse envelopes
- Inscription: 御布施 (o-fuse), in rich black ink - ofuse expresses gratitude, not mourning, so no light ink
- Bills: new bills are fine, for the same reason
- Presentation: never hand it over bare - place it on a small tray (kitte-bon) or on a folded fukusa Find presentation trays
- Timing: when greeting the priest before the service, or when thanking them afterwards
When told "whatever you feel"
- Ask the funeral company or a Buddhist-altar shop for the local range (they answer most readily)
- Ask relatives or older locals what has been given before
- Ask the temple directly: "How much do others usually offer?" - this is not considered rude
Related pages
The amounts shown here are general reference figures only. Appropriate amounts differ by region, relationship and local custom. Before deciding on an actual amount, we recommend checking with your family or people around you.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is ofuse not written in light ink?
Ofuse is gratitude and donation to the temple, not condolence money. Write 御布施 in rich black ink; light ink belongs to koden only.
Are new bills acceptable for ofuse?
Yes - preferable, even. Clean bills suit money given in gratitude. Avoiding new bills is a koden rule, not an ofuse rule.
Is the posthumous-name fee separate?
Usually the funeral ofuse covers the name as well, in one envelope. For high-rank names such as ingo, check the separate reference amounts.
Why is Jodo Shinshu said to be lower?
It has no posthumous-name-fee concept (the deceased receives a homyo), so rank-based increases largely do not apply. An ingo title, if requested, involves a separate donation.
Is it rude to ask the temple about amounts?
No. Phrased as 'how much do others usually offer?', most temples will give you a range.
When are transport and meal allowances needed?
Transport allowance when the priest travels to your venue; meal allowance when the priest declines the post-service meal - each 5,000-10,000 yen in its own envelope.
