 Abbe died on 1 December 1985 in Japan.According to at least two sources, he had chosen to donate his body for medical education at Saitama University, so it was not immediately laid to rest.Abbe's funeral was held on 10 June 1986 at Zuiganji Temple, located south of Mount Bizan in Tokushima, and he was buried or commemorated at the family grave there.