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Ashes of deceased to be scattered at sea to save space

With space for storing cremated remains dwindling in Taipei city and county, the Taipei City Government on Monday will hold its first funeral service at sea.

Ku Yen-ling (顧燕翎), head of the city government's Bureau of Social Welfare, said that the city government had for several years been exploring alternatives to the traditional practice of storing ashes in shrines on hillsides.

"Scattering the ashes at sea is a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional land 'burial,'" Ku said.

"The service is simple but honorable," Ku said.

"We want to express the idea that our loved ones' lives will continue in nature by choosing the sea as the final resting place," Ku said.

Last month, the city government introduced another method of disposing of ashes: placing them in boxes under newly planted trees.

According to the bureau's plan, the next of kin of four deceased people will attend the service on Monday morning. They will take a fishing boat about 6km out to sea from Taipei County's Sanchi Township.

Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) will preside over the service, Ku said.

The cremated remains will be scattered over the open sea along with flower petals. Music will be played and a short passage or prayer will be read as the ashes are scattered. After the service, the boat will circle for about 10 minutes and taps will be played as a final farewell to the deceased, Ku said.

"We believe that the service will uphold the respect, dignity and honor which the deceased deserve," Ku said.
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