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Funeral rites allow us to process our grief and express our final respect for the departed. Across the world, different cultures observe funeral traditions, acknowledging the inevitable loss we all face. These ceremonies serve to heal and honor those we've lost.
However, the ones we mourn aren't always human. Death doesn’t only affect people; other beings and things are also deserving of remembrance. Below are ten funerals held for entities that were not human.
10. The Eulogy for Fallen Arcade Machines
Pachinko is a beloved arcade game in Japan, blending elements of a slot machine and pinball. Players launch metal balls into the machine, and on rare occasions, one will land in a special spot that activates a randomizer akin to a slot machine, potentially yielding more balls. These metallic balls double as currency, which can be exchanged for prizes. To sidestep local gambling regulations, these prizes can even be swapped for cash at nearby counters.
Pachinko machines have such high demand that one manufacturer found it necessary to replace about 500,000 machines annually due to damage. In 2001, the company, Heiwa, organized a special send-off—a funeral for these countless machines—at a well-known Buddhist temple. The ceremony included incense, mourners in formal black attire, chanting monks, and floral tributes. A golden Pachinko machine was placed above the temple’s altar, symbolizing the loss of all its fallen counterparts.
“As a maker of pachinko machines, we wish to express our gratitude to those machines that have served their purpose,” said Takayuki Uchiyama, a company spokesperson at the ceremony. He also emphasized that the rites honored not only the machines but also the people involved in their creation, maintenance, and use. “It’s a prayer for all those who have passed, connected to the world of pachinko.”
9. Retired Naval Ships
Since 1775, over 15,000 ships in the US Navy have been decommissioned after serving their purpose. However, decommissioning a ship isn’t as simple as discarding a used item. These ships were more than mere vessels; they were battle companions, homes, and the stages for countless daring exploits and struggles. Though they are inanimate, these ships represent much more. When a ship is decommissioned, it is often honored with a ceremony akin to a funeral. One such ceremony took place in 2015 for the USS Rodney M. Davis, named after a sergeant who gave his life in Vietnam for his comrades.
The ceremony was attended by the ship’s final crew, former crew members, the family of Sergeant Davis, and Marines who had served alongside him, including those he saved. The crew left the ship in full dress uniform, while Sergeant Davis’s daughters helped lower the colors, which included the American flag and the commissioning pendant. Finally, the family of Rodney M. Davis was given a tour of the ship.
The last commanding officer of the USS Rodney M. Davis, Commander Todd Whalen, reflected on the moment: “For 28 years, by valor and arms, the USS Rodney M. Davis and her crew have answered the call. We honored Sergeant Davis by executing our mission together with boldness, and his Bold Runner spirit will remain with us for the rest of our lives.”
8. Crows Conduct 'Funerals' for Their Fallen Comrades
When a crow dies, its body becomes the focal point for a gathering of other crows. They surround the deceased, calling out to each other and giving the body special attention. This behavior is also observed in other birds such as jays, magpies, and ravens. However, these rituals are not merely acts of mourning—they serve a more practical function.
Crows are incredibly intelligent birds known for their ability to remember and avoid threats. For instance, in a study by Kaeli Swift from the University of Washington, crows were observed at feeding sites where they were exposed to a human in a mask holding a dead crow. The crows reacted by making a specific warning sound, alerting others to the danger. Even when the masked individuals returned without the dead crow, the crows continued to scold them and avoid the location. This behavior suggests that the crows associated the mask with the death of one of their own and considered any place the masked person visited potentially dangerous.
When a group of crows holds a 'funeral,' it seems likely they are signaling warnings to their fellow crows and searching the area for any potential threats. However, when Swift repeated the experiment using dead pigeons, the crows showed no significant reaction, indicating their focus on the loss of a crow rather than any other species.
7. A Goodbye for the Souls of Dolls
In Japanese Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, it is often held that all objects possess souls, so when an item is discarded, its spirit is honored. In 2017, a funeral was conducted for the souls of dolls and stuffed animals, including characters like Hello Kitty and Disney figures. These dolls were headed for the trash, but 20 individuals and a Buddhist monk gathered for the ceremony, which included a chant led by the monk, Shingyo Goto, accompanied by heavy incense.
“We believe that a soul resides in dolls, so I conduct a ceremony to release the spirits and express our gratitude toward them,” said Shingyo Goto. “Everything has a soul, whether it’s a needle, a pair of scissors, or an egg, and we must show our appreciation for all things.”
6. A Green Farewell for a Tree
On April 1, 2019, the life of a tree was tragically cut short in New York. While this might seem like a routine event—given that 15 billion trees are felled annually—it was no ordinary tree. This particular tree, named Will O. Baum, was a symbol for all fallen trees and was honored with a funeral. An obituary was published in his memory, which included the following notes about the departed:
Mr. Baum was born on Arbor Day, April 25, 1919, in Inwood, NY to Jan and Isaac Prescott. He grew alongside the Prescott family and their son Marvin. Will-O, as his friends called him, was a community cornerstone . . literally. In his free time, he enjoyed feeding birds, photosynthesizing, and sunbathing with his best friend Marvin. “Will-O had a passion for helping children reach new heights and view the world from fresh perspectives. However, he wasn’t fond of winter. Christmas always unnerved him.” According to his friends, Mr. Baum dedicated his life to fighting deforestation and was deeply troubled by the deteriorating state of the environment.
A funeral was held at Judson Memorial Church in New York City to honor Will O. Baum, featuring a 25-part choir, poetry readings, and a New Orleans brass band. The ceremony aimed to raise awareness about the plight of trees worldwide and the ongoing environmental crisis. The invitation offered the following advice:
Light refreshments and beverages will be provided. Please bring your own drinking bottle or cup; this will be a zero-waste event. No single-use plastic or paper products will be permitted.
WEAR GREEN TO JOIN IN THE FESTIVITIES.
5. Hari Kuyo, The Memorial for Needles
Originating during the Heian period within the imperial household in Japan, this annual ceremony honors the needles that have been used and broken throughout the year. It is mainly attended by seamstresses and housewives at Shinto and Buddhist temples. The ceremony embodies the Japanese cultural value of disposing of items with respect, rather than simply discarding them. At one of the many temples hosting the event, four women in traditional Nara period attire perform a dance dedicated to Orihime, the celestial weaver, and attendees receive lucky paper amulets.
Visitors to the temple on this day are invited to take a needle placed before the altar and stick it upright into a block of konyaku jelly while offering a prayer. This age-old practice brings together professionals and hobbyists alike—such as weavers, tailors, and crafters—to symbolically show gratitude for the tools that enable their crafts.
4. Farewells to Man's Best Friend
Pets occupy a special place in the hearts of many, which is why the pet funeral industry generates an estimated $100 million annually and continues to grow, with over 700 pet cemeteries scattered across the United States.
“I’ve had people tell me, ‘I lost both my parents and my pet. This feels even worse,’” said Ed Martin III, vice president of the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery and Crematory, one of the most renowned pet cemeteries. “They ask, ‘Is it normal to feel like this? I feel guilty.’ I’ve heard that comment so many times.”
One such farewell took place for K9 unit Kye, a three-year-old police dog who lost her life in the line of duty in 2014. She was fatally stabbed by a burglary suspect during a confrontation. Her funeral, pictured above, was attended by over 1,000 mourners, including many other service dogs.
3. A Tribute to a Glacier
A glacier is essentially a massive buildup of snow and ice that forms over time when more snow accumulates than melts. After years of this accumulation, typically around 30 meters (100 ft) high, the weight causes the snow and ice to flow, officially turning it into a glacier.
Iceland is home to 269 glaciers, covering approximately 11 percent of the nation's landmass. However, as the climate warms, these glaciers are rapidly receding. More snow is melting off than is being replaced, causing their steady shrinkage. In 2014, Iceland officially declared the Okjokull glacier, also known as 'Ok,' as deceased.
In honor of this significant loss, a memorial was held on August 18, 2019. Dozens of people, including Iceland's Prime Minister, hiked to the site where the glacier once stood to pay tribute and leave a message for future generations. A copper plaque was placed there, inscribed in both Icelandic and English, reading:
Ok is the first Icelandic glacier to lose its status as a glacier. In the next 200 years all our glaciers are expected to follow the same path. This monument is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and know what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it.
2. A Memorial for a Fictional Character
Walter White is a fictional character from the TV series Breaking Bad, portrayed by Bryan Cranston. White, a high school chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with terminal cancer and turns to manufacturing methamphetamine in an effort to secure his family’s future after his death.
In the series finale, White dies (or so it is assumed), and in an unusual tribute, fans of the show raised funds to purchase a grave site, a coffin, and a gravestone for the character in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Along with paying for the memorial, fans donated an additional $17,000 to support healthcare for the homeless in Albuquerque. However, some locals expressed dissatisfaction with the increased visitors to the cemetery where the fictional character’s memorial is located, disturbing the peaceful final resting places of real people.
1. A Farewell to Man’s Robotic Best Friend
In 1999, Sony introduced the AIBO (Artificial Intelligence Robot), a robotic dog that could wag its tail, dance, and eventually even speak in later versions. With a price tag of approximately $3,000 by today’s standards, the first batch of 3,000 units sold out within 20 minutes of release.
In 2006, Sony announced that it would discontinue the AIBO, which never quite gained mainstream attention but still managed to sell around 150,000 units over seven years. In 2014, Sony made the difficult decision to stop supporting the product entirely, meaning no more repairs or spare parts. For owners who had bonded with their robotic pets, this meant an inevitable end—their AIBOs would eventually cease to function.
In response, a small, dedicated business emerged to repair the ailing AIBOs, relying on spare parts scavenged from other units. To honor these ‘organ donors,’ Nobuyuki Norimatsu, who ran A-Fun, an AIBO repair company, arranged a memorial service for the fallen units.
This ceremony took place at a Buddhist temple for 17 AIBOs that had been sacrificed for parts, but as Norimatsu’s business expanded, so did the number of AIBOs requiring repairs. By 2018, a funeral was held for 800 AIBOs. Head priest Bungen Oi explained that the funerals aligned with Buddhist teachings, stating, “Even though AIBO is a machine and doesn’t have feelings, it acts as a mirror for human emotions.”
