what gift to bring to a Japanese Buddhist 49th day memorial?

Hi doublefly,

Thanks for the interesting question! I enjoyed finding your answer.

Traditionally, as you know there is a series of services, guests give
cash at these events, inside a special envelope. The amount varies and
is usually somewhere between $30 and $300 USD.


References:

..."A Buddhist prayer bead called Juzu may be carried by the guests. A
guest will bring condolence money in a special black and silver
decorated envelope. Depending on the relation to the deceased and the
wealth of the guest, this may be of a value equivalent to between USD
30 and USD 300. The guests are seated, with the next of kin closest to
the front. The Buddhist priest will read a sutra. The family members
will each in turn offer incense three times to the incense urn in
front of the deceased. The wake ends once the priest has completed the
sutra. Each departing guest is given a gift, which has a value of
about half or one quarter of the condolence money received from this
guest. The closest relatives may stay with the deceased overnight in
the same room..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_funeral


Japanese Memorial Rituals
http://www.terakoya.com/butsuji/butsuji_1_e.htm


Juzu Buddhist Prayer Beads
http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&q=Juzu+Buddhist+Prayer+Bead
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_prayer_beads


Japanese Funeral Envelope
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:JapaneseFuneralEnvelope.jpg


More Rituals described here:
http://www.osoushiki-plaza.com/eng/eng3.html#13


Hope this helps!


~~Cynthia


Search method:
Gift "49th Day" Japanese Memorial