“Lonely Death-Kodokushi”
SARASIJ MAJUMDER
Are you familiar with the word “Kodokushi” ??
Kodokushi (孤独死) is a Japanese term for a “lonely death,” referring to people, often the elderly, who die alone and whose corpse go undiscovered for extended periods, sometimes days, weeks, or months, highlighting Japan’s social isolation issues. This phenomenon is linked to an aging population, shifting family structures, and increasing urban isolation, leading to a rise in solitary deaths, even among younger people, and has spurred new social support and cleanup services.
Many Bengali ‘Freedom Fighters’ lived a lonely uncared old life, and died a lonely death–.
‘Kodokushi’ was first documented in Japanese newspapers during the 1970s, and studies exploring the phenomenon began as early as 1973, with surveys conducted by the National Social Welfare Council and National Union of Voluntary District Welfare Commissioners. The first instance that became national news in Japan was in 2000 when the corpse of a 69-year-old man was discovered three years after his death; his monthly rent and utilities had been withdrawn automatically from his bank account and only after his savings were depleted was his skeleton discovered at his home. The body had been consumed by maggots and beetles.
In India—the death of Film Actress Pervin Babi of Bombay Film Industry was similar.
Parveen Babi died possibly on January 20, 2005, in her Juhu, Mumbai apartment. She was living alone. She was found dead three days after she probably had passed away. Neighbours alerted the police after noticing a foul smell from her locked apartment (from inside), leading to the discovery of her corpse, estimated three days after her death.
The most prominent story of a freedom fighter’s death in Rishikesh involves Bina Das, a revolutionary who attempted to assassinate the Governor of Bengal in 1932; she later lived a lonely life in anonymity, working as a teacher and dying poor in Rishikesh in 1986, her decomposed body found on the roadside, highlighting the tragic fate of many unsung heroes. Refer my BLOG on ‘HER’.
One reason is increased social isolation. Parents in old age live lonely life in a two persons family—Children living away. If one of the Spouse dies—the other one becomes lonely, and may die lonely.
Elderly people who live alone are more likely to lack social contacts with family and neighbours, and are therefore more likely to die alone and remain undiscovered.
Breaking of Joint Family, and non-integrated living created this social problem.
Discovery: Bodies are found long after death, often by landlords, Milk Vendor, Newspaper Vendor, Maid Servant, sanitation workers, or mail carriers, due to lack of contact with family/neighbours.
Japan is a country of old people. Tokyo had the most “lonely deaths” in 2024– 7,699. 80% of them were elderly people who had no one to look after them.
This is a cause for concern in Hong Kong and South Korea also. Both have ageing populations and increasing numbers of elderly people living alone and isolated.
In South Korea, the equivalent word is called GODOKSA (고독사) refers to “lonely deaths.
Solution:?!?!
Requires need for specialized Clean Up Services, insurance for cleanup costs, Cremation cost, and services, and government initiatives to combat isolation.
I think—living in ‘COMMUNE’—specially designed for old age living could be a better solution.
OLD AGE HOMES are providing much derogatory living conditions at exorbitant price. No government regulation made it a nasty business!
For the last 8 years, (I am now 76 years old) I am living in NIRMAY, ASHIANA SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING at BHIWADI, RAJASTHAN. My only son works, and stays in FREIEDBERG, GERMANY.
I feel, and know the problem.
NOTE:–
- All information are available in public domain. No references are listed. I compiled.
- Image:- Google
