07
2020-12
A symposium on the formulation of national funeral policy standards was held in Beijing.
To comprehensively advance the standardization of funeral services and promote the scientific development of the funeral sector, the National Symposium on the Formulation of Funeral Policy Standards was held in Beijing on December 4. The meeting implemented the important instructions and directives of General Secretary Xi Jinping on civil affairs work, took the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee as its guiding principle, reviewed the work of the National Technical Committee for Funeral Service Standardization (hereinafter referred to as the Standards Committee) in 2020, and deliberated and outlined plans for funeral service standardization in 2021.
09
2020-09
Introducing a method of ash storage that brings great fortune and prosperity to future generations.
Cremated remains are the ashes produced after biological incineration. Following cremation, people typically place the ashes in an urn and inter them in a cemetery as a form of remembrance. Some also keep the urn at home for veneration, expressing their grief; however, traditional storage methods prioritize containment, which is both inconvenient to carry and prone to tipping over. Since the primary component of cremated ashes is phosphate, they readily absorb moisture, and once hydrated, they become an ideal nutrient source for bacteria. Consequently, those who keep urns at home face stringent requirements, and such urns tend to be quite expensive. Moreover, most existing artisanal urns exposed to the air over time are susceptible to cracking, compromising their long-term preservation.
16
2019-07
Nan County’s funeral reform enhances the “final garden of life”
Newly paved cement roads stretch clean and tidy, rows of lush osmanthus trees sway gently in the breeze, and marble tombs stand solemn and dignified… On July 8, at the Yugge Ecological Cemetery in Huage Town, Nan County, a white flower and a black mourning ribbon, presided over by village officials, marked a funeral that was simple yet dignified, minimalist yet deeply moving. Just one row away from the cemetery lies the former burial ground; everyone knows which environment is better and which method of interment is more civilized. Focused on building a funeral system that benefits the people, is environmentally friendly, and promotes cultural civility, Nan County has comprehensively advanced cremation, rectified scattered and disorderly burials, and worked to address the “bottlenecks” and persistent problems that have long hindered the development of rural civility at the grassroots level.
05
2019-07
France introduces a new green burial option, opening its first tree‑burial forest.
In recent years, Europeans have gained a new option for interment: France has recently opened its first forest cemetery designed to accommodate biodegradable urns. Located in a small village at the foot of the southern Pyrenees, the site offers individual plots as well as pre‑reserved family spaces. According to reports, the woodland—known as “Fontaine de l’Ours”—lies in the tiny village of Arbas, just a few dozen kilometers south of Toulouse. Covering roughly one hectare and home to more than 40 trees, it can hold up to 216 urns. Those opting for tree burial may choose from various species, such as beech or cedar; after cremation, the ashes are placed in a biodegradable container.
05
2019-07
Columbarium storage—can you accept this high-tech approach to funeral services?
During the Qingming Festival, people bring a bouquet of fresh flowers and a few delicious dishes to pay their respects at the graves of loved ones. But what kind of new experience emerges when this traditional way of honoring the dead meets cutting-edge technology? At the Rui Xi Ecological Garden’s Ruyi Mausoleum in Jingshan, Yuhang, not only has the site achieved the concept of “a grave without a visible tomb,” but it has also pioneered the use of smart, high-tech equipment. This refreshing approach to memorial rites represents Hangzhou’s effort to create a model for comprehensive funeral‑service reform—a “Hangzhou example.” The cemetery itself is a place where graves are virtually invisible, nestled amidst lush tea gardens and verdant bamboo groves, with the fragrant aroma of tea wafting for miles. At Ruyi Mausoleum, one would never guess it was a burial ground; rather, it feels more like a leisure‑and‑tourism destination, complete with tea plantations…