Due to the disbandment of his band, Daigo (played by Masahiro Motoki) gives up his dream of becoming a cellist and returns to his hometown in Yamagata with his wife (played by Ryoko Hirosue). By chance, he stumbles upon a job advertisement and is hired as an encoffineer. The job involves washing, making up, and preparing corpses for their final farewell. Initially, Daigo is resistant to this work and struggles to gain understanding from his wife and friends. However, after personally experiencing several farewell ceremonies, he ultimately gains a profound understanding of the role of an encoffineer.

The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Academy Awards in 2009. Seventeen years after its release, it continues to prompt reflections on the value of life and death. This screening, presented in stunning 4K restoration, brings the classic back to life, allowing audiences to appreciate the significance of the final farewell.