The following is translated from material appearing August 8th, 11th and 13th, 2002 on the websites for  Yuukan Fuji, Sports Sunday and eiga.com. All information is (c) these sources.

A funeral service for Yamamura Sadako was held at 11:00 a.m. August 10th, 2002, at the LaForet Museum in Harajuku, Tokyo. The chief mourners in attendance were Suzuki Koji, author of the original novel, and Chairman Tsugihiko, president of Kadokawa Shoten (the publishing arm that released Mr. Suzuki's novel).

According to a spokesman for Asmik Ace Entertainment, the idea to hold the service was conceived to speed Sadako along to the afterlife in order to welcome the new horror soon to arrive from Hollywood. The Ring, currently in production, will open October 18th all across America, and premiere in Japan in November.

The first 100 people to arrive at the museum carrying an issue of the guide magazine Tokyo Walker were allowed to participate in the funeral service.

The service coincided with the opening of "Ring to The Ring," an exhibit (also being held at the LaForet) featuring an overview of the Ring films and their transition to a Hollywood remake. Sadako's service featured a real altar, adorned with the traditional portrait of the deceased--in this case, a picture of Sadako with her face obscured by her long hair.

The event marked the second time a fictional movie character had been featured in a mock funeral service. The first was for Laura Palmer of the television show Twin Peaks, which was held in front of Shinjuku Altar.

Ring author Suzuki Koji addressed the audience saying, "Sadako's physical body has died. Her spirit has crossed the oceans, where it was reborn as Samara." He went on, eliciting chuckles from the audience when he deadpanned, "The moment I created the character of Sadako, I did a great wrong to all the women of Japan who share her name. For this, I have stood before a shrine and apologized wholeheartedly."

August 10th-18th, 2002: The LaForet Museum in Harajuku, Japan held a self-proclaimed "Big exhibition" titled "Ring to The Ring: The Curse of Sadako that Spanned the Oceans." The event focused on the trilogy of Ring, Ring 2, and Ring Ø, and featured material on the American remake The Ring.

Highlights of the event included a "Ring art" display and still galleries / short films showcasing the development of such items as Sadako's well and Shizuko's mirror. Promotional videos for The Ring were shown, which included a preview of Rick Baker's makeup work. Ring author Suzuki Koji was among the guests of honor.