The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday that in order to continue to promote the local development of eco-friendly funeral services and to provide a wider range of eco-friendly funeral options for the public, the bureau will launch “garden burial services” tomorrow.
The garden burial services will be available at the Garden of Remembrance in the Taipa Sa Kong Municipal Cemetery on Estrada Almirante Magalhães Correia, providing about 400 graves, according to the statement, which added that the Garden of Remembrance is designed in the shape of flowers, surrounded by flowering plants and has a quiet environment. There is also a large memorial plaque, enabling members of the public to have the names of their deceased relatives or friends engraved on it, the statement said.
The statement pointed out that garden burial services are similar to the existing tree burial services, in which the ashes of the deceased will be put into biodegradable paper bags, and buried in a garden burial covered with soil. After the ashes are buried, the statement said, they will slowly decompose naturally over time, and become one with nature, implying endless life and returning to nature.
The statement noted that garden burial services are eco-friendly, and the graves can be recycled after the ashes are naturally decomposed. The statement underlined that such services are exempted from any charges.
According to the statement, the services of cremation and tree burial were launched in 2014 and 2015 respectively, and the number of users of these services has “steadily” increased. There have been more than 400 applications for tree burials, the statement said.
Those seeking appointments for site visits and briefings about eco-friendly funeral services or requesting further information can call 8294 2651 during office hours, the statement added.
This undated handout photo provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) yesterday shows its Garden of Remembrance in the Taipa Sa Kong Municipal Cemetery on Estrada Almirante Magalhães Correia.
