From this month, a system for scattering cremated remains, known as 'scattering burial,' will be implemented.
On the 14th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare noted that the revised enforcement decree of the 'Funeral and Burial Act' that institutionalizes scattering burials was approved at the cabinet meeting.
The revised enforcement decree includes provisions that define specific places where scattering burial is permitted as 'marine areas located more than 5 km from the shoreline of land or funeral facilities that have prepared locations or facilities for scattering.' However, scattering is not allowed in environmentally controlled areas or marine protected areas, even if they are located more than 5 km offshore.
The existing funeral law only regulated burial, cremation, and natural burial (tree burial). Consequently, scattering remains was neither legal nor illegal until now.
In consideration of the public preference for scattering burial and issues related to space shortages, the government decided to institutionalize scattering burial.
The revised enforcement decree also included that scattering burial must be done close to the water surface in marine areas and only cremated remains and fresh flowers can be scattered.
Im Eul-gi, director of elderly policy at the Ministry of Welfare, said, 'With the introduction of the scattering burial system, it is expected that the expenses for managing cremated remains for bereaved families will be reduced and that future generations will have the opportunity to utilize land more efficiently.'