San Holdings Co., Ltd.
San Holdings Group’s “grief care” “Hidamari no Kai” 20th anniversary event held 20 years of support for bereaved families and the future
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San Holdings Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Osaka Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka, Representative Director and President: Satoshi Harishima) provides total support at the end of life. In 2003, we established the Hidamari no Kai, which provides support for those suffering from grief. Hidamari no Kai celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, and held an event in March to trace its history and think about future grief care. More than 100 members gathered for the 20th anniversary event, rejoicing in reuniting with friends who had overcome the challenges together, and spending valuable time thinking about the future. On the day, various programs were held in addition to speeches by related parties.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/54487/53/resize/d54487-53-b35dba18cac598766d70-0.jpg&s3=54487-53-45aff83482555a287db26555b941d4ef-1785×964.jpg] More than 100 participants gathered at the venue
“Greetings” Satoshi Harishima (President, San Holdings Co., Ltd.)
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/54487/53/resize/d54487-53-b105d522164e8269b07b-1.jpg&s3=54487-53-b798b6ab13851e45161b08e6ffa09b55-463×545.jpg] 20 years ago, while working with bereaved families, I received many requests for support for the loss and sadness of losing a loved one, and although I wanted to respond, at the time I was working on grief care at a funeral home. The number of cases was close to zero, and there was no know-how. As I pondered this, I learned that in the United States, it is standard for funeral directors and embalmers to be responsible for grief care. Therefore, I decided to take on the challenge of becoming a funeral director, and here I am today. Although there have been many ups and downs, I am deeply moved that we have been able to continue this journey for 20 years. With our 20th anniversary as a turning point, we would like to move to a new stage and further enhance our grief care. “Hidamari no Kai: Looking Back on 20 Years” We asked all the experts who supported the operation of the event to look back on the past 20 years.
Yukihiro Sakaguchi (Professor, Department of Human Sciences, Faculty of Human Welfare, Kwansei Gakuin University, Director, Grief and Bereavement Research Center)
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/54487/53/resize/d54487-53-86388771beb432a95da5-2.jpg&s3=54487-53-ed9064da7679bc7ed4a3aecf539ac654-639×783.jpg] I still remember when I was considering the name of the group. “Hidamari” is a name that has been loved for a long time, as it has the meaning of “warmly enveloping those who are suffering from deep sadness and providing a bright light,” which fits perfectly with the group’s purpose. The great thing about Hidamari no Kai is that it has been able to continue for 20 years. This is a unique and valuable initiative. I hope it continues for even longer.
Ms. Masako Kurokawa (Professor, Department of Social Welfare, Ryukoku University Junior College)
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/54487/53/resize/d54487-53-651235a0f271c035ce29-3.jpg&s3=54487-53-f1413125573f9afe9026fa952447fe61-776×988.jpg] In the past 20 years since our founding in 2003, I believe that the connections between people have weakened and society has changed significantly. Especially after the coronavirus pandemic, people are less likely to talk to others, and people who have lost loved ones have lost the opportunity to share their grief. It can be said that the need for Hidamari no Kai, which has been based on the idea of sharing ideas about how to live with sadness, has increased over the past 20 years.
Ms. Fumiko Okamoto (Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Public University; Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Osaka Public University)
[Image 5: https://prtimes.jp/i/54487/53/resize/d54487-53-abe17486682c634e77ee-4.jpg&s3=54487-53-06d55aded3b5062c29b9f4606b9fafc7-681×865.jpg] “Hidamari no Kai” has three excellent points.
1. We have listened carefully to each individual’s voice, understood their needs, and continued to change.
2. Continuing to protect the safety and security of participants 3. Disseminating the activities of Hidamari no Kai to society at academic conferences, etc.
I hope that such initiatives will expand further. Keiko Yonemushi (Kyoto Sangyo University Student Counseling Office Chief Counselor, Clinical Psychologist)
[Image 6: https://prtimes.jp/i/54487/53/resize/d54487-53-1b5deb7d76cc4dc7199e-5.jpg&s3=54487-53-709221e720a5c4521fdc02132dcfcb3b-773×1027.jpg] “Hidamari no Kai” has a program called sharing. There are rules such as not comparing or denying sadness, and we provide a place where participants can support each other by talking about their feelings in peace. One participant said, “I was able to help someone in need at the station. Up until now, I would have just walked past them, but now that I have joined Hidamari no Kai, I have become kinder.” Listening to what he said, I realized that I too have grown as a person through Hidamari no Kai. In addition, we had speeches from the bereaved families (members).
For the future of “Hidamari no Kai” Takashi Uya (Secretary Director of “Hidamari no Kai”, General Manager of Embalming Division, Kokushusha Co., Ltd.)
[Image 7: https://prtimes.jp/i/54487/53/resize/d54487-53-1a8909dd1251511ed2b6-6.jpg&s3=54487-53-2343c164cdd8edea7666a4e322eb9437-456×599.jpg] In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the need for “Hidamari no Kai” has increased, and in addition to in-person events, we have created a new form of online events. We hope to continue to evolve and accept the needs of our participants. On the other hand, we have continued to ensure that the two things that have not changed over the past 20 years are “being a safe and secure place where you can talk as much as you want and cry to your heart” and “protecting the dignity of the deceased.” I think so.