Each stage in a burial has to be precisely performed according to centuries-old protocols. There are over 20 procedures. Four of the most interesting are: kichu-fuda, koden, kotsuage, and bunkotsu. Kichu-fuda is a period of intense mourning, which lasts for one day. During this period, mourners wear solid black and some may carry a rosary. A Shinto priest is needed to perform the rituals to begin and end this day. Here the priest is performing the rituals of chanting, singing, and praying to begin the period of mourning. Because the mourning period is only one day, several other steps take place during this period, such as koden.
Kotsuage is the gathering of a person's ashes. In the event that the bones do not burn completely, family members remove the bones with chopsticks and place them in the urn along with the ashes. This urn is then placed at the shrine for the services of the priest. Then it is removed and buried at the gravesite.