Focus Taiwan
Date: 2017/04/02
By: Hsieh Chia-chen and Lee Hsin-Yin
Taipei, April 2 (CNA) Taiwan saw 9,136 green burials in 2015, a huge jump from 3,910
(File photo)
in 2014 and 246 in 2006, highlighting the growing trend among Taiwanese to deal with death in a more environmentally friendly way, the Ministry of Interior said Sunday.
It is traditionally believed in Taiwan that the deceased should be buried in cemeteries so that their souls can rest in peace.
But following the government’s promotion of cremation in recent years, even more people in Taiwan have become receptive to green burials — including scattering the ashes of their loved ones under a tree at a designated area or at sea, the ministry said.
Green burials offer a sustainable, natural alternative to conventional burials and do not take up precious land, the ministry said, adding that the ashes kept under trees or covered by flowers become part of the soil within one to two years without causing any pollution. [FULL STORY]
