Record increase in green burials signals shift towards sustainable ashes handling

Moving away from traditional funeral customs is no easy transition. However, the government stated that green burial — as a sustainable method of handling ashes — accounted for a record-high 18.2 percent of disposals last year.

According to the data from the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), green burial has been gaining wider acceptance in society, with 8,522 individuals' remains being scattered in Gardens of Remembrance and 1,032 at sea in 2024.

In addition, more than 15,800 names were registered in the "Green Burial Central Register" as of the end of May.

"About 70 percent of deceased registrants had their ashes disposed of in the form of green burial," FEHD Senior Health Inspector Alan Li Kai-lun said. "Even if there is no prior registration, descendants can still adopt green burial for the deceased."

The FEHD launched a large-scale "School of Life" program in August of last year, exploring life's closing chapters and sustainable options for being laid to rest.

The program includes a "Life & Death Expo," showcasing support services for aging and end-of-life planning, as well as community walking tours that encourage reflection on life's transitions.

The initiatives have attracted around 5,000 participants to date, and people of all ages are welcome to participate.

The department also arranges green burial talks, guided tours to Gardens of Remembrance, and community tours, with these activities engaging more than 20,000 citizens to date.

FEHD Chief Health Inspector Daniel Lam Chun-ho stated that the department will persist in enhancing green burial facilities and promote advance planning for posthumous arrangements through the "School of Life" initiative.

Furthermore, FEHD aims to strengthen public education and awareness, gradually establishing green burial as the standard practice for managing ashes.