We’re Running out of Space: Burial Rituals in Shanghai

Published:

Countries

Demographics

Majors

Regions


And for today’s quirky  topic…. Here’s a post about Sea Burials in China!

Most of us know that China has a HUGE population, currently totaling around 1.3 BILLION people, and the government has been focused on having a sustainable popluation. Policies such as the One Child Policy are trying to curb such such problems, but, currently, China isn’t only worrying about sustaining it’s population’s needs for food, housing, and resources, but also the quickly deminishing places to bury the dead. China simply does not have space for cemeteries. It’s THAT crowded.

In large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Wenzhou, and Chengdu, all citizens are required by law to be cremated in an effort to save land that would otherwise be allocated to burial plots. However, China is not running out of space for urn placement. Funeral and burial costs can range from 40,000-500,000 yuan, which is three times the price of an apartment in Shanghai! 

Because of this, Shanghai (along with other major sea port cities) have began subsidized Sea Burial, which is a group-burial process where loved ones scatter ashes in the sea as opposed to purchasing a resting place for an urn. The Shanghai government currently subsizes Sea Burial, making it completely free for the family.

Yet, Shanghai Sea Burial still only makes up about 1.8% of total burials. Why? 

I believe the older generation of Shanghainese oppose Sea Burial because of traditional Chinese values related to the family unit. China’s society revolves heavily around the family, and the remembrance of ancestors is very important. Chinese want to be buried near other relatives, and have a physical space for their remaining family to visit and pay homage to. Moreover, because of the predominantly Confusian and Buddhist influence in China, there is no idea of family reunion in heaven or hell. And, instead, dying loved ones can only look forward to their memory being preserved by their decendents. 

Without a physical resting place, the importance of family and ancestor remembrance may slowly fade away from China’s society. One of the largest national holidays in China is Tomb Sweeping Day, where family members clean and make offerings at their ancestor’s graves. If Sea Burial were to become more popular in Shanghai, this holiday would be completely changed. Instead of having a single day dedicated to remembering your ancestors and doing an act of remembrance, family members would instead remember their deceased loved ones on their own and at a more internal level. 

The Chinese government predicts that by 2025, there will be no more land available for burial spaces, and thus Sea Burial is expected to become more and more popular. But this isn’t just a change in tradition, it is a change in a way of thinking, priorities, and relationships, and it will be interesting to see the affects of burial ceremonies affect China’s society in the years coming. 

Sarahann Yeh

Hi, my name is Sarahann Yeh. I am currently a freshman studying Biological Sciences with a minor in International Development and Conflict Management at the University of Maryland. I hope to one day work in International Healthcare to help implement practical health-related changes in local communities around to world. On campus, I love getting involved in campus life, and am currently on my Hall Council, the University Student Judiciary, Scholarsโ€™ Ambassadors, and the Scholars Student Advisory Board Academic Affairs Committee. I am so excited to study International Business in Shanghai, China next spring! I have always been fascinated by the Chinese culture because I am half-Chinese and want to study abroad in China because of its rapid economic growth and rise as one of the worldโ€™s powers. Going to China will help increase my global perspective and train me to be an excellent international healthcare worker. Fitting in a semester abroad certainly has not been easy because of my various academic requirements, but, because of my familyโ€™s financial situation, study abroad funding has been an even greater challenge. FEA has truly been a blessing, and, without this scholarship, I would not be able to study abroad for a full semester. I am truly looking forward to experiencing a completely different culture, making connections with people all around the globe, and learning as much as I can about the lifestyle and beliefs of other people.