South Korea Legalizes Ash Scattering at Sea Under New Burial Law | Be Korea-savvy

South Korea Legalizes Ash Scattering at Sea Under New Burial Law


The revised law allows ashes to be scattered in areas designated by presidential decree, including seas located at least 5 kilometers from the coastline (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)

The revised law allows ashes to be scattered in areas designated by presidential decree, including seas located at least 5 kilometers from the coastline (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Korea Bizwire) —  South Korea has officially legalized the scattering of cremated ashes at sea, known as “Sanbun-jang,” starting this month. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Tuesday that the revised Enforcement Decree of the Act on Funeral Services and Burial, which institutionalizes ash scattering, was approved at a Cabinet meeting.

Previously, Sanbun-jang existed in a legal gray area—neither explicitly permitted nor prohibited—as the previous burial law only recognized burial, cremation, and natural burials such as tree burials.

In response to growing public preference for alternative burial methods and limited cemetery space, the government amended the law in January 2024 to formally include ash scattering as a legal form of natural burial.

The revised law allows ashes to be scattered in areas designated by presidential decree, including seas located at least 5 kilometers from the coastline and specific facilities within cemeteries, crematoriums, enshrinement halls, and natural burial grounds equipped for ash scattering.

However, scattering is prohibited in environmentally protected zones, such as marine conservation areas and designated water management zones. The new regulations also require ashes to be scattered close to the water’s surface and limit the scattering to cremated remains and fresh flowers. Activities must not interfere with maritime navigation, fishing, or aquaculture.

Lim Eul-gi, Director of Elderly Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, “The introduction of the Sanbun-jang system is expected to reduce burial costs for bereaved families and promote more efficient land use for future generations. We will work to ensure the stable implementation and promotion of this system.”

The legalization of Sanbun-jang reflects South Korea’s efforts to adapt to evolving burial preferences and address land scarcity issues while maintaining environmental protections.

Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)

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