In recent years, with the development of the times and the change of people's concepts, funeral methods have begun to become diverse.
Traditional burial is no longer people's first choice, and sea burial and river burial are becoming more and more accepted by people.
People began to think that such a way of returning to nature was more in line with the current outlook on life.
But most people think that sea burial or river burial is as simple as scattering ashes into rivers, lakes and seas, but this is not the case.
Especially for sea burials, the cost can even be as high as tens of thousands! Why are sea burials so expensive?
The text states that all the content has reliable sources of information, which are repeated in the article at the end of the article.
Some details are artistically processed, please pay attention to screening
Burial at sea: the final destination of sleeping with the sea
Sea burial is a funeral ritual in which the ashes of the deceased are scattered into a designated sea. Different from traditional burials, sea burials allow the deceased to merge with the vast ocean, which not only saves land resources, but also conforms to the concept of returning to nature.
However, in order to complete a solemn and legal burial ceremony at sea, a series of strict procedures need to be passed.
First of all, the family needs to bring the relevant supporting documents of the deceased to the local civil affairs department to apply for a sea burial permit. Once approved, make an appointment with a professional sea burial service.
On the appointed date, the staff will arrange the boat and guide the family through the ceremony. It is important to note that the ashes must be packed in a special container that is biodegradable to avoid polluting the marine environment.
In China, the development of sea burial has gone through a long process. In 1985, the mainland carried out the first sea burial activities in Shanghai.
Since then, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xiamen and other coastal cities have successively promoted this funeral method. With the enhancement of people's awareness of environmental protection and the increasing shortage of land resources, sea burial has gradually become more and more accepted.
However, it is important to emphasize that it is illegal to scatter ashes into the sea without permission. This may not only have an impact on the marine ecology, but may also be used by criminals to destroy corpses.
Therefore, the relevant authorities strictly manage the activities of sea burials, and only sea burials carried out in designated sea areas and under legal procedures are permitted.
Sea burials provide a vast home for the deceased and a new way of remembrance for the living. Whenever you look at the sea, relatives can feel the presence of the deceased.
However, despite the growing popularity of sea burials, the high cost of burials has discouraged many families. So why is sea burial so expensive?
Why are sea burials so expensive?
In fact, the price structure of sea burial is complex and involves many aspects of expenses.
First of all, specialized equipment and personnel are the main source of costs. A vessel suitable for burial at sea requires special modifications, equipped with advanced navigation systems and safety equipment.
At the same time, experienced crew members, ceremonial celebrants and service personnel are indispensable. The remuneration of these professionals is naturally included in the final expenses.
In addition, environmental requirements come with additional expenses. To avoid polluting the oceans, ashes must be placed in biodegradable containers, and eco-friendly materials must be used for bouquets and offerings.
The cost of these specialties is much higher than that of ordinary supplies. The development and application of these environmentally friendly technologies has also increased the operating costs of sea burial services.
On top of that, some families want to have a ceremony in a specific sea, or request a unique way to commemorate it, and these customized services inevitably add to the cost.
The basic cost of sea burial includes boat rental, personnel services, etc., which usually range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of yuan. The cost of the ceremony, such as flowers, music, photography, etc., varies according to the needs of the family.
Special requests such as night burials at sea, offshore ceremonies, etc., will incur additional charges. It is worth noting that prices vary greatly from region to region and company, so you need to shop around.
Taking the coastal city of Dalian as an example, sea burial services are divided into collective sea burial and single-family chartered sea burial.
Single-family chartered sea burials range from 1,500 yuan to 35,000 yuan depending on the type of ship, sea area and offerings.
The most upscale service includes a three-decker boat with a capacity of 100 people, sailing 37 kilometres away, taking 6-7 hours round trip.
For families looking for a high-end experience, there are more luxurious options. Some companies also offer fine souvenir making, such as special sea burial certificates.
Sea burial services don't stop at the day of the ceremony. Many organizations choose feng shui treasures by the sea to set up "sea burial monuments" for family members to pay respects in the future.
These follow-up services are also included in the total price, but provide long-term spiritual comfort for the deceased and the family.
More importantly, sea burial provides a vast home for the deceased and a new way of remembrance for the living. Whenever you look at the sea, relatives can feel the presence of the deceased.
In the vastness of the ocean, the deceased gained eternal freedom. This precious farewell may be the true value of the sea burial, far beyond the measurement of money.
Burial at sea versus traditional burial
Compared to traditional burials, sea burials present unique advantages in terms of cost. Compared with the burial cost of tens of thousands of yuan, the basic cost of sea burial is usually about a few thousand yuan.
Even if you opt for a higher-end, personalized service, the total price is much lower than the combined cost of buying a cemetery and maintaining it for a long time.
For sea burials, the most high-end single-family charter service is only 35,000 yuan. This is in stark contrast to the price of cemeteries, which can easily cost hundreds of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of yuan.
However, the advantages of burial at sea are not only reflected in the initial investment. Traditional cemeteries often require regular maintenance, such as clearing weeds and repairing inscriptions, which are additional long-term expenses.
In contrast, a sea burial is completed at one time and requires no follow-up costs, which can be described as a real "once and for all".
Despite this, there are still many controversies and challenges in the promotion of sea burials. First and foremost is the issue of environmental impact.
Although studies have shown that human ashes have little impact on marine ecology, some conservationists are concerned about the potential cumulative effects of mass burials at sea.
To this end, local sea burial service agencies strictly select sea areas far from the shore and fast currents for the ceremony, and use environmentally friendly containers that can be quickly degraded to minimize the impact on the marine environment.
The clash of cultural traditions is another challenge that cannot be ignored. In Chinese society, where the concept of "peace in the ground" is deeply entrenched, many people find it difficult to accept scattering the ashes of their loved ones into the vast sea.
They fear that doing so will leave the deceased "nowhere to rest" and that the living will lose their place of worship.
In order to alleviate this conflict, public memorial ceremonies have also begun to be held in some places to provide a way for families to remember.
With the enhancement of people's awareness of environmental protection and the increasing tension of land resources, sea burial is gradually being accepted by more people.
Some local governments have also introduced subsidy policies to encourage citizens to choose sea burials. In the future, this way of funeral in harmony with nature will surely be more widely recognized and chosen.
Other unique ways to bury
Life and death are major events in life, and funeral methods have always been a topic of conversation. In all corners of the world, there are also many different funeral customs.
In Ghana, Africa, funerals have become a joyous celebration. Dressed in bright costumes, the "coffin dancers" carry the unique coffins with energetic dance steps and shuttle through the streets.
Amid cheerful music, people use dance and laughter to remember the deceased, turning grief into a tribute to life. ·
Deep in the Amazon rainforest of South America, some indigenous tribes still retain ancient funeral traditions.
They mix the ashes of the deceased into a special drink that is shared by relatives.
This seemingly astonishing custom actually reflects a deep attachment to the deceased, hoping that in this way the loved ones will remain in their bodies forever.
It is worth mentioning that in mainland Tibet, the celestial burial ceremony is a traditional funeral method. At the top of the towering snow-capped mountains, monks place the remains of the deceased on specific altars.
As the scriptures were read, the hovering vultures swooped down and carried the body into the sky. Although this scene is shocking, it reflects the unique understanding of Tibetan Buddhism on the cycle of life.
However, with the awakening of environmental awareness, more and more people are looking for funeral ways to live in harmony with nature.
In some parts of the United Kingdom, people have the option of burying their ashes under newly planted saplings.
Over time, these trees have grown to form a vibrant memorial forest. Whenever the breeze blows through the leaves, it is as if you can hear the whispers of the deceased.
Another emerging eco-friendly burial ritual is the "reef burial". The ashes of the deceased are made into special eco-friendly concrete and sink to the bottom of the sea to become a new home for corals.
Divers can see schools of colourful fish on these artificial reefs, where life continues in another form.
These rich and diverse funeral methods, whether traditional or innovative, reflect the reverence for life and the remembrance of the deceased.
They are not only a testimony of culture, but also a portrayal of human nature, allowing us to find solace in farewell and draw strength in remembrance.
Resources
1. Sea burial and tree burial are being accepted by more and more people Expert: Amend the "Funeral Management Regulations" to promote ecological burial - Beiqing.com, released on April 5, 2023
2. Sea burial, tree burial, lawn burial...... What are the problems in promoting ecological burial? —Hubei Daily, published on April 6, 2024
3. Since 1991, the ashes of 71,527 deceased people have been scattered in Shanghai - China News Network, released on March 16, 2024