Rising demand spurs local governments to build more crematoriums

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Local governments are intensifying efforts to establish crematoriums, a plan that has frequently faced strong opposition from residents in the past.

However, this time, the plan is receiving a warm welcome as local governments promise financial support.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the cremation rate surged from 42.6 percent in 2002 to 91.7 percent in 2022. Simultaneously, the number of crematoriums increased from 105,103 to 342,128 during the same period.

Despite this growth, the number of crematoriums nationwide stands at only 321. Particularly, Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Busan, and Daegu face shortages of 4.9 to 24.7 crematoriums compared to demand.

In response to increasing demand, local governments plan to establish more crematoriums. Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province aims to complete the construction of a memorial park equipped with crematoriums by the end of 2028.

The park will encompass crematoriums, funeral parlors and burial sites on a 330,000-square-meter piece of land.

The city launched a public tender process to select the site for the facility from June to September last year. Seven villages applied in total, and the city government is now examining the final sites.

The selected villages will receive 4 billion won ($2.93 million) in support funds from the city. Additionally, the city government plans to allocate 20 percent of the crematoriums' usage fees for 30 years to the villages and provide employment opportunities to local residents.

An official at the Pohang city government noted the enthusiastic participation and support of residents in attracting these facilities. The city government believes that residents prioritize local economic revitalization.

Similarly, Yangju in Gyeonggi Province laid out plans to establish crematoriums. The city intends to develop a facility on an 830,000-square-meter plot of land and received site applications from August to October last year.

Six villages applied as the city government pledged to offer up to 40 billion won in incentives, operating rights for profitable facilities like restaurants and cafés within the cremation complexes and prioritized employment for residents.

The city government has allocated a total of 40 billion won, with 10 billion won going to Bangseong 1-ri and 30 billion won to nearby villages, which were selected as the final candidate sites.