TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In recent years, businesses and communities worldwide have become more environmentally conscious, leading to a rise in eco-friendly choices.
In Taiwan, this trend is evident in the growing popularity of green burials or eco-friendly burials, as people strive to leave a healthier world for future generations.
Eco-friendly burial options include flower and tree burials, among others.
To cater to this demand, the local government in Taipei City's Wenshan District has created a beautiful garden filled with flowers and bald cypress trees for eco burials.
This area is free of charge, and people from different counties and cities can also apply.
In 2022, there were 4,161 eco-friendly burials in this cemetery. This year, the number has already reached more than 1,300, indicating a significant increase in preference for eco-friendly burial options.
Fude Public Cemetery Groundskeeper Chen Guang-hui pointed out, "In 2022, our eco-friendly burial site welcomed an average of 300 new 'residents' every month; however, as of April this year, we have seen a significant increase in demand, with 400 new 'residents' on average every month."
While the cemetery does not allow headstones, which may pose difficulties for family members who wish to pay their respects, its environmental benefits are undeniable.
According to the cemetery groundskeeper, areas of the burial grounds are given a year to rest and recuperate once they reach capacity.
If everything has decomposed, and the land is healthy upon inspection, it can begin welcoming new "residents" again, completing the circle of life.