Chinese tweak tradition to adopt eco-friendly burials

On Saturday, Chen Qi, an undertaker from Dalian in Liaoning province, set sail for another sea burial. It was an especially busy day for Chen, whose ship was carrying 60 urns from Harbin, Heilongjiang province. Since 2009, 559 people from the inland northeastern city have had their ashes scattered at sea.

Chinese people often bury the ashes of deceased loved ones in time to pay tribute to them on Tomb Sweeping Day, which falls on April 4 this year.

Graveyards are always packed with people on the day, which is also known as the Qingming Festival, but increasing numbers are opting for sea burials in which ashes, often accompanied by flower petals, are scattered at sea.