A new law in China has come into effect, banning the use of residential properties for storing cremated remains. This regulation addresses the rising trend of converting apartments into memorial spaces, a practice that has gained traction due to the high costs associated with burial plots and a declining real estate market.
The legislation, which took effect on March 31, coincided with the Qingming Festival on April 5, a time when families honor their ancestors by cleaning graves and making offerings. Under the new law, it is prohibited to use residential units specifically for the storage of cremated remains, as well as to bury bodies or construct tombs outside designated public cemeteries.
The concept of “guhui fang,” or apartments for ashes, has become increasingly popular amid rapid urbanization and an aging population, which has intensified competition for limited cemetery spaces. Families have been repurposing vacant apartments into shrines adorned with candles, red lights, and urns arranged by generation.
According to a 2020 survey by insurance company SunLife, funeral expenses in China rank as the second highest in the world, following Japan. The Financial Times reported that the average cost of a funeral in China is approximately $5,400, which represents nearly half of the annual income for an average citizen. In contrast, property prices have seen a decline of 40% between 2021 and 2025. While cemetery plots are leased for only 20 years, residential property rights last for 70 years, making the latter a more appealing option for many families seeking to store their loved ones’ remains.
The new prohibition has sparked critical reactions on Weibo, the Chinese social media platform, where a related hashtag has garnered over 7 million views. Users have expressed skepticism regarding the enforcement of the ban, with some questioning whether compliance can be effectively monitored, while others noted that even with significant discounts, cemetery spaces remain prohibitively expensive.
In 2025, China recorded 11.3 million deaths, an increase from 9.8 million in 2015, significantly outpacing the 7.9 million births in the same year. In response to this demographic shift, authorities in major cities are promoting “eco-friendly burial methods,” which include deep soil burials and scattering ashes at sea. Notably, the number of sea burials in Shanghai surpassed 10,000 for the first time in 2025.
China's recent law prohibits the use of residential properties for storing cremated remains, reflecting the challenges posed by high burial costs and urbanization. The regulation comes amidst growing demographic pressures and a shift towards eco-friendly burial practices.
Source: The Guardian