Now, hire ‘Robot Priest’ to perform Buddhist funeral rites; check out images

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A Japanese company has introduced a new role for SoftBank's humanoid robot "Pepper" – a Buddhist priest for hire at funerals. The 'robot priest' wears a Buddhist robe and demostrates the funeral in front of a altar at Life Ending Industry Expo 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. At the Expo, 'robot priest' was on display chanting sutras in a computerized voice while tapping a drum. (Image: Reuters)

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Nissei Eco Co., an unlisted plastic molding maker, wrote the chanting software for "Pepper", which was introduced by SoftBank Group Corp. in 2014. (Image: Reuters)

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With Japan's population ageing and shrinking, many Buddhist priests receive less financial support from their communities, prompting some to find part-time work outside their temple duties, said Michio Inamura, Nissei's executive adviser. (Image: Reuters)

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The funeral robot could step in when a priest was not available, he said. It also cost less at 50,000 yen (about $450) per funeral compared to more than 240,000 yen ($2,200) for a human priest. (Image: Reuters)

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Buddhist priest Tetsugi Matsuo said he came to the expo to see if Pepper could "impart the 'heart' aspect to a machine because I believe that the 'heart' is the foundation of religion." (Image: Reuters)

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The robot has not yet been hired for a funeral. (Image: Reuters)