(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-22 13:19

BEIJING - The capital will establish more free public cemeteries, mostly in the suburbs, Zhao Yi, chief of the civil affairs bureau of Beijing City, told the ongoing municipal people's congress on Monday.

The city has about 40 "public welfare cemeteries" but the number will rise to 80, Zhao said.

Funeral homes "should offer free service at public welfare cemeteries and the cost will be borne jointly by local governments at city, district or county or other lower levels," said Zhao. The new cemeteries "should feature simplicity and shun luxury or large grandiose tombstones."

City authorities have studied land availability for such facilities, Zhao said.

Beijing has 18 urban districts and suburban counties, with a population of 13 million. Cremation is compulsory in 15 districts and counties.

About 70,000 people die in Beijing each year, but because of high costs the ashes of only about 25,000 are interred at commercial cemeteries.