Most Japanese homes maintain Buddhist altars, or butsudan (仏壇?), for use in Buddhist ceremonies; and many also have Shinto shrines, or kamidana (神棚?). When a death occurs, the shrine is closed and covered with white paper to keep out the impure spirits of the dead, a custom called kamidana-fūji (神棚封じ?). A small table decorated with flowers, incense, and a candle is placed next to the deceased's bed