What to Write on a Kōden Envelope in Japan: Choosing Between 御霊前, 御仏前, 御玉串料 and 御花料

Omotegaki by occasion and religion

The omotegaki on a kōden envelope depends on the religion of the deceased and their family, and on whether it's for the wake and funeral or a memorial service from the 49th day onward. Start with the overall picture in this table.

The difference between 御霊前 and 御仏前

Most Buddhist sects hold that the soul of the deceased stays in this world as a spirit (霊, rei) for 49 days and attains Buddhahood after the 49th-day memorial service. So before the 49th day, for the wake, funeral and seventh-day service, you write 「御霊前」 ("before the spirit"), and for the 49th-day service and later anniversaries such as the first and third, you write 「御仏前」 ("before the Buddha").

• Wake, funeral and farewell ceremony: 御霊前 (or 御香典)
• 49th-day memorial service: 御仏前 (since Buddhahood is said to be reached that day)
• Anniversary services such as the first and third: 御仏前
• Money offered at Obon and the equinox weeks: 御仏前, 御供物料

Jōdo Shinshū is the exception. It holds that a person becomes a Buddha immediately at death through the power of Amida Buddha, so 「御仏前」 is used from the wake and funeral onward, and 「御霊前」 isn't used. Some Zen sects such as Sōtō and Rinzai also recommend 「御仏前」, so when unsure, 「御香典」 is the reassuring choice.

Omotegaki for Shinto and Christian funerals

At a Shinto funeral, the Buddhist words 香典 and 仏前 aren't used. Instead you write 「御玉串料」, named after the rite of offering a tamagushi (a sakaki branch with paper streamers), or 「御榊料」. 「御霊前」 can also be used at Shinto funerals. Kōden envelopes printed with lotus flowers are for Buddhist use, so choose a plain one.

For a Christian funeral, use a white envelope without mizuhiki or a special envelope printed with a cross or lilies, and write 「御花料」 ("flower money"). 「御霊前」 is acceptable for Catholics but not used by Protestants, so if you don't know the denomination, 「御花料」 is safe. Catholics sometimes also write o-misa-ryō (a mass offering).

Why pale ink is used, and when dark ink is fine

For a wake or funeral, the omotegaki and name on the outer envelope are written in pale ink. It expresses the feeling that tears of grief made the ink run, or that the sudden news left no time to grind enough ink. Pale-ink brush pens are sold in shops, so keeping one on hand is reassuring.

• Omotegaki and name on the outer envelope: pale ink
• Amount and address on the inner envelope: ordinary black is fine, putting readability first
• Memorial services from the 49th day: dark ink, since the date is known in advance
• 御布施 (offering to the priest): dark ink, since it's thanks to the temple rather than condolence

The amount on the inner envelope is written in daiji (formal numerals), such as 「金　伍阡円」 (¥5,000) or 「金　壱萬円」 (¥10,000). See Writing the amount on the inner envelope, with a daiji chart for each amount and Writing the back of the inner envelope for the address.

Inserting the bills and wrapping kōden

• Avoid new bills, which give the impression you had them ready. If you only have new bills, crease them once before putting them in.
• Insert the bills with the portrait facing the back of the inner envelope and at the bottom (as if the face is turned down). With several bills, line them up the same way.
• On the back of the outer envelope, fold the top flap over the bottom one (the shape of a head bowed in grief).
• Use a fukusa (wrapping cloth) in a cool color such as navy, gray or dark green, or purple, which works for both joyful and sad occasions.
• Avoid amounts containing 4 (shi, which sounds like "death") or 9 (ku, which sounds like "suffering"). As a guide, use an envelope with real mizuhiki for ¥10,000 or more, and a simple envelope with printed mizuhiki for ¥5,000 or less.

The meaning of mizuhiki colors and knots is explained in Types of mizuhiki and how to choose.

Checking the omotegaki and wrapping with the tool

1. 1

   Choose the occasion

   In How to Write Shugi-bukuro & Kōden-bukuro, choose from kōden (Buddhist wake or funeral), kōden (Jōdo Shinshū), memorial service, Shinto funeral, Christian funeral or offering to the priest.

2. 2

   Check the omotegaki and mizuhiki

   It shows suggested omotegaki with reasons, the mizuhiki color and knot, pale or dark ink, and whether to avoid new bills.

3. 3

   Enter the amount and name to make a sample

   Enter the amount to convert it to daiji for the inner envelope, and enter your name to get a vertical sample of the outer envelope. Bill direction and flap folding can be checked in the checklist before wrapping.

FAQ

How do I choose between 御霊前 and 御仏前?

In Buddhist practice, 「御霊前」 is usual for the wake and funeral before the 49th day, and 「御仏前」 from the 49th-day service onward. Jōdo Shinshū holds that a person becomes a Buddha immediately at death, so 「御仏前」 is used even at the wake and funeral.

What omotegaki should I use if I don't know the sect?

If it's Buddhist, 「御香典」 works regardless of sect and is the safe choice. 「御霊前」 isn't used in Jōdo Shinshū, so it's safer to avoid when you don't know the sect.

What do I write on the envelope for a Shinto funeral?

Write 「御玉串料」 or 「御榊料」. 「御霊前」 can also be used, but 「御香典」 and 「御仏前」 are Buddhist words and aren't used. Also avoid envelopes printed with lotus flowers.

What omotegaki do I use for a Christian funeral?

「御花料」 works for any denomination. Catholics also accept 「御霊前」 and o-misa-ryō (mass offering), but Protestants don't use 「御霊前」. Use a white envelope without mizuhiki or one printed with a cross or lilies.

Should the inner envelope also be written in pale ink?

The inner envelope can be written in ordinary black, since it matters most that the family can read the amount and address accurately. Pale ink is for the omotegaki and name on the outer envelope.