Eco-burials take root in funeral industry
Relatives opt for tree and sea final services as traditions change
Li Yang, a funeral consultant based in Beijing, said families can also pay for tree burials at some local memorial parks to avoid long waiting times, with prices ranging from around 10,000 to 100,000 yuan. Relatives can spend more to have a loved one buried in a special location or interred under their own tree, he said.
Some parents of deceased children find flower bed burials appealing because their child loved flowers, while others shun traditional tombstones as they can appear frightening to youngsters, Li added.
Despite growing acceptance, ecological burials remain a small segment of China's funeral industry. Statistics from civil affairs authorities show that the proportion of eco-burials has risen to 3.2 percent, Xinhua News Agency reported last year.
Given that elaborate tombs and large burial plots are seen as a sign of filial piety in Chinese tradition, many people may consider eco-burials too simplistic and lacking in respect, said Cui from the cemetery in Luoyang.
"But over time, as more people see how much thought and care go into the ceremonies, they will begin to understand," he said.
Zhou Wenbo contributed to this story.
