The downward trend for cremations in China may begin to reverse following a plan to cut or waive funeral expenses for poor households that choose cremation.

Li Bo, deputy director of the Ministry of Civil Affair's social affairs department, told a news conference on Monday that qualified families will enjoy a cut or waiver of fees including for corpse transportation, cremation and ash storage for a year.

About 4.3 million cremations were registered in 2011, said He Qingxun, director of the division of funeral and interment management under the ministry's social affairs department.

That is 48 percent of all registered deaths. It was 53 percent in 2005.

The Chinese government started to promote cremation in 1956.

However, traditional burials have not been abolished, as populations in remote areas are still allowed to choose burial.

Local governments can divide areas into cremation and burial zones, with most burial zones in less populated areas and those living in cities being cremated.

Ethnic minority groups can also follow traditional funerals, such as Tibetan sky burials.

"Our country's burial areas are still bigger than the cremation areas," said Sun Shuren, an expert specializing in funeral studies from Beijing Social Administration Vocational College.

"In addition, the need for cremation in an aging society grows faster than the construction of new crematoriums," he said.

Bao Yuan, who works for a funeral parlor in Ningyang county, Shandong province, said traditional Chinese culture is another reason.

"Many Chinese still hold the opinion that they cannot rest in peace if their bodies are not buried in their hometowns after they die," Bao said.

Gan Yingsong, an 80-year-old villager from Hubei province, said that he has designed the burial ceremony for him and his wife.

"We've bought two coffins, and we feel scared whenever the idea of cremation pops up," Gan said.

Guo Rui in Wuhan contributed to this story.

hedan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/27/2012 page4)