Homemaker Han Myungseon (55) held her father's funeral last year without setting up a funeral parlor. Without inviting relatives or acquaintances, the family conducted the funeral in the mortuary. This decision was based on the beliefs of her father, who disliked owing favors to others, and the family’s own values. Han said, "Even if they are relatives, it is burdensome for those living far away to visit, and condolence money can also be a burden on someone, which I thought was inconsiderate." She added, "We were able to reduce the time spent managing condolence money and preparing food for visitors, and instead, our family could mourn together without unnecessary formalities."

The culture of 'funerals without a parlor,' where condolence visits are omitted and the funeral is quietly held only among family, is spreading. Also called a 'family funeral' or 'two-day funeral,' this type of service follows the same basic steps-placing the deceased in the mortuary, encoffining, sending off, and cremation-but omits the process of opening a parlor for condolence visitors between encoffining and sending off. The funeral is conducted in the mortuary and the send-off follows, making it a two-day event in total.

The spread of funerals without a parlor has been attributed to practical burdens. As family structures change and condolence culture shrinks, the number of visitors decreases, while the costs of using a funeral parlor and hosting guests remain high. This is the main reason. Unlike traditional funerals, which typically cost over 10 million won, funerals without a parlor can be held for 2 to 3 million won.

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An official from a funeral service company explained, "Even setting up a funeral parlor for just one day is expensive. Just the floral arrangements and food for at least 50 people make the funeral service alone cost nearly 10 million won." He added, "When there are not many family members or few condolence visitors expected, many choose funerals without a parlor, which can be conducted at a quarter of the cost of a traditional funeral."

For bereaved families, reducing the burden of funeral procedures allows them to focus on saying goodbye to the deceased. Kim, a woman in her 40s who recently lost her mother after a long illness, said, "I was able to quietly compose myself alone, without worrying about others. Rather than elaborate formalities, I could focus on the act of saying farewell to my mother itself."

Industry insiders also report that funerals without a parlor are steadily increasing. Funeral director Lee Youngwoo said, "The number of funerals without a parlor we conduct each month has doubled. Unlike in the past, when such funerals were viewed negatively as modest or shabby, younger mourners now have a mindset that they will not spend on pretentious or unnecessary expenses."

Kim Yuntae, professor of sociology at Korea University, analyzed, "As society becomes more urbanized and individualized, social relationships are decreasing, giving rise to this culture. The culture of mourning is changing so that, rather than exchanging condolence money and mutual assistance, families can focus on the deceased together."