Traditionally, the Japanese funeral is a very important ritual practice in Japanese society. The Japanese believe that the spirits of the dead are revived during a funeral. The ceremony itself thus does not focus on the bereavement of the surviving friends and family, but on the spiritual journey of the deceased person. Keeping the Japanese funeral tradition is important to the Japanese, who believe that retaining funerary custom shows respect for the deceased and their ancestors. The Japanese believe that their ancestors are always with them, watching, protecting, and guiding them, so respect for their dead through ritual is important.