BEIJING — Eco-friendly burials are gaining traction in China as urbanization and environmental concerns prompt a shift away from traditional funeral practices, according to government data and local reports. The trend includes sea burials, tree burials, and biodegradable urns, reflecting both policy incentives and changing public attitudes.
China’s rapid urbanization has exacerbated land scarcity, with cemeteries in major cities nearing capacity. Analysts note that the government has promoted green burials since 2016 through subsidies and public awareness campaigns. “The state sees this as a solution to land pressure and pollution from cremation,” said a Beijing-based sociologist speaking anonymously due to media restrictions.
Official figures show over 40,000 sea burials conducted annually in coastal cities like Shanghai, while inland regions adopt “memorial forests” where ashes fertilize trees. A 2023 survey by Shanghai University found 28% of urban residents now consider eco-burials, up from 12% in 2018. However, rural areas lag due to cultural preferences for ancestral tombs.
Critics argue the push overlooks deep-rooted Confucian traditions. “Many still view elaborate tombs as filial duty,” noted Hong Kong University anthropologist Dr. Li Wen in a 2025 journal article. Meanwhile, some question whether subsidies—averaging 2,000 yuan ($280) per green burial—are sufficient to offset funeral industry resistance.
If adoption continues, analysts project green burials could account for 30% of China’s 10 million annual deaths by 2030, reducing cemetery land use by an estimated 15 square kilometers yearly.