Is it okay to display a plain wooden memorial tablet as is? We explain when to change it to a real memorial tablet and how to dispose of plain wooden memorial tablets that have outlived their usefulness.

What is a white wood memorial tablet?

A plain wooden memorial tablet is a memorial tablet made of plain wood that is enshrined at funerals.

Also known as a "temporary memorial tablet" or "field memorial tablet," it contains the posthumous Buddhist name, death date (the day of death), secular name (the name given during life), and age at death.

These memorial tablets serve the purpose of identifying who the person being memorialized was and how old they were when they died, and they are generally taken by the family after the funeral.

How long can I display a plain wooden memorial tablet?

In addition to plain wood memorial tablets, there are also so-called "real memorial tablets," such as lacquered memorial tablets coated with black lacquer or gold leaf, and Karaki memorial tablets made from ebony or rosewood.

For this reason, many people who have received a white wooden memorial tablet are unsure whether they should continue to use it, or wonder whether they should replace it with a real memorial tablet.

To conclude, "it is best to replace the plain wooden memorial tablet with the original memorial tablet on the 49th day."

The reason why it is 49 days is because it is said that the destination of the spirit after death is decided on the 49th day, which means 77 days (shichishichinichi).

In other words, the plain wooden memorial tablet is a "temporary memorial tablet" whose purpose ends after the 49th day memorial service.

It is not originally designed to last long and is made simply.

Therefore, it is considered desirable to prepare a sturdy main memorial tablet that can be enshrined for a long time by the 49th day, which is a major milestone, and to transfer the soul of the deceased from the plain wooden memorial tablet to the main memorial tablet.

Some people may say that there is no absolute rule that says you can't continue to use a plain wooden memorial tablet, but considering its role, it is still recommended that you have it replaced.

The main memorial tablet will be used at the 49th day memorial service, so you will need to consider the time it will take for it to be completed after ordering it from the altar store (usually around 10 to 14 days) when making your preparations.

However, even if you receive the finished memorial tablet, please be careful not to dispose of the plain wooden memorial tablet before the memorial service.

It is said that the soul of the deceased is transferred to the main memorial tablet when the temple opens the eyes of the deceased (putting in the soul and spirit), so remember that the plain wooden memorial tablet should not be replaced before that.

In addition, Jodo Shinshu believes that "everyone returns to the Pure Land when they die," so according to its doctrine, spirits do not exist, memorial tablets are not prepared, and instead a death register is generally used.

If you are planning to make an ihai, it is a good idea to check in advance with your relatives or family temple, including your sect.

If the 49th day has passed

For some people, there may be circumstances where the main memorial tablet is not completed until after the 49th day due to reasons such as wanting to prepare a special memorial tablet.

Nowadays, there are many different types of real memorial tablets, and it is not uncommon for people to be particular about their choice when replacing their plain wooden memorial tablets.

Many people choose a design for their memorial tablet that blends in with their living environment, especially if they do not have a Buddhist altar room at home or if they have a Buddhist altar that matches their Western-style interior.

There are more and more cases now where "modern memorial tablets" are displayed, which differ from traditional memorial tablets made of black lacquer and gold leaf or Chinese wood.

If it takes time to prepare the main memorial tablet, and you know early on that it will not be ready in time for the 49th day, we recommend that you inform the temple in advance.

Similarly, if you have special circumstances, such as wanting to make a special memorial tablet, it is a good idea to consult with the temple.

Once the main memorial tablet is completed, inform the temple that it is ready and discuss the arrangements for the memorial service.

Regarding the handling of plain wooden memorial tablets that have completed their purpose

After the 49th day memorial service is completed and the deceased's soul is transferred to the main memorial tablet, the plain wooden memorial tablet must be disposed of.

Normally, after completing its purpose, the memorial tablet is either taken away by the funeral home along with the plain wooden altar, or by the temple.

In some cases, the temple will be able to tell you about disposal methods immediately after the memorial service, but if not, your family should ask questions or contact the funeral home.

Also, even though the spirit of the deceased no longer resides in the plain wooden memorial tablet, it should not be treated too roughly.

Don't just dispose of it improperly, dispose of it properly.

The plain wooden memorial tablet is only a temporary memorial tablet.

The plain wooden memorial tablet that you collect after the funeral is merely a temporary memorial tablet and is not designed to last long.

Therefore, the main memorial tablet must be prepared by the 49th day, when the destination of the spirit after death is said to be decided.

If you cannot finish by then, be sure to report and consult with the temple that will be holding the memorial service as soon as it is finished.