TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The central Taiwanese city of Taichung announced on Thursday (Jan. 8) that the city recorded 20,681 deaths in 2025, with 3,696 opting for tree burials and 42 choosing sea burials. This marks an 18% adoption rate for eco-friendly burial practices, reflecting a significant shift towards sustainable end-of-life choices, according to a press release.
Wu Shih-wei (吳世瑋), the head of the city's Civil Affairs Bureau, highlighted the growing popularity of tree burials as a representative and significant burial option. He noted that since 2016, Taichung's diverse eco-friendly burial policies have led to 22,468 tree burials and 281 sea burials. These practices have collectively reduced carbon emissions by approximately 13,085.3 metric tons, equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of 33.8 Da'an Parks (大安森林公園). Da'an Park is a major city park in central Taipei.
Wu emphasized that the 18% eco-burial rate in 2025 signifies that one in every five citizens in Taichung chose an eco-friendly burial. Wu stated that this demonstrates the high level of public recognition for sustainability. The city has established eight tree burial sites across Beitun (北屯), Daya (大雅), Shengang (神岡), Qingshui (清水), Dajia (大甲), Dadu (大肚), Shalu (沙鹿), and Taiping (太平) districts, covering nearly 4.4 hectares and offering over 33,600 burial spaces.
The Civil Affairs Bureau revealed plans to open new tree burial zones at cemeteries in Dongshi District (東勢) and Tanzi District (潭子) in March, while another tree burial area in a Beitun District cemetery is slated for an August 2027 opening. These expansions will provide more than 1,200 additional burial spaces, further accommodating the growing demand for eco-friendly burial options.