October 1, 2024
On Thursday, September 26, 2024, a graveside ceremony and the Memorial Service for Body Donors, hosted by the School of Medicine, were held at Tama Cemetery and Zojoji Temple.
Every year during the autumnal equinox period, the School of Medicine holds the Memorial Service for Body Donors, attended by faculty, staff, and medical students, along with the bereaved families. The purpose of this service is to pray for the repose of the souls of those who graciously donated their bodies for the advancement of medical education and academic research. This service has been held at Zojoji Temple in Shiba Park, Minato Ward, since 1928 and is positioned as one of the most important events for the School of Medicine.
This year again, prior to the main service, a graveside ceremony was held in front of the School of Medicine's ossuary at Tama Cemetery. Along with the chanting of sutras by monks from Zojoji Temple, incense was offered by representatives from the School of Medicine, led by Dean Takanori Kanai.
Following this, the Memorial Service for Body Donors was held in the main hall of Zojoji Temple. The service was attended by approximately 300 bereaved family members, students, and related personnel. It included a memorial address by the Dean of the School of Medicine and the chanting of sutras by a large number of monks, led by the 89th head priest of the Zojoji Temple head monastery, the Most Reverend Kenshu Ozawa. Finally, on behalf of the faculty and staff, Professor Shigeki Sekine of the School of Medicine's Department of Pathology gave the closing remarks. He expressed sincere acknowledgment of the donation of bodies for the advancement of medical sciences, conveying respect and gratitude to the souls and their bereaved families. He also pledged to build on the knowledge gained through anatomical dissection, to continue striving for the advancement of medical sciences, and to contribute to society.
Photo: Takeshi Kishi