China bans 'bone ash apartments' for storing cremated remains
China bans 'bone ash apartments' where cremated remains are stored instead of cemeteries, aiming to regulate funeral practices and address urban land scarcity.
China has enacted a ban on so-called 'bone ash apartments,' empty units used to store cremated remains as an alternative to traditional cemeteries. This move targets unregulated funeral practices that have emerged due to land shortages and high burial costs in urban areas. Authorities have raised concerns about health and safety risks linked to improper ash storage in residential buildings. The prohibition is part of broader initiatives to encourage more sustainable and environmentally friendly disposal options, such as sea burials or cremation with virtual memorials.