The story of Daigo Kobayashi (Masahiro Motoki), who after losing his job decides to move back to his hometown with his wife to start over.
He answers a classified ad entitled ‘Departures’ believing it to be an advertisement for a travel agency only to discover that the job is actually for a Nokanshi, a funeral professional who prepares bodies for burial and entry into the next life.
Whilst his wife and friends despise his profession, Daigo begins to perfect the art of Nokanshi, acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death and between the deceased and their families.
The film follows his profound and sometimes comical journey with death, which paradoxically leads him deeper towards the wonder, joy and meaning of life and living.