Camilla Jessen
A new rule in China is drawing attention as authorities move to tackle an unusual response to rising burial costs.
China is introducing legislation that bans people from keeping the ashes of deceased relatives in unoccupied apartments.
According to The Guardian, the measure targets a growing practice driven by high funeral expenses and limited cemetery space.
The law prohibits using residential properties “specifically for the storage of cremated remains” and also restricts burials outside designated public cemeteries.
Rising costs drive trend
The practice, known as “guhui fang,” has emerged alongside rapid urbanisation and an ageing population. As burial plots become scarce and expensive, some families have turned empty apartments into memorial spaces.
These flats are often arranged as shrines, with urns placed by generation and surrounded by candles and ceremonial decorations.
A 2020 global study cited in the report found China has the second-highest funeral costs in the world after Japan.
The new rules are set to come into force ahead of the Qingming festival, a traditional period when families honour their ancestors.
At the same time, China’s property market has seen prices fall significantly in recent years, making apartments a more appealing long-term option compared to cemetery plots, which are typically leased for 20 years.
Online backlash
The announcement has sparked strong reactions on Chinese social media platforms.
A related hashtag gained more than 7 million views on Weibo, with users questioning how authorities will monitor compliance.
“Who’s going to go check? Or are they planning to put a GPS on every urn?” one user wrote.
Another added: “Even with a 90% discount, cemetery burials are still too expensive,”
China’s ageing population is adding to the strain. Official figures show 11.3 million deaths in 2025, compared with 9.8 million in 2015, while births remain significantly lower.
In response, some cities are promoting alternative burial methods, including sea burials and other environmentally focused options. Shanghai recorded more than 10,000 sea burials in 2025, a record high.
Sources: The Guardian, Weibo data.
