Heaven can wait

Earlier this year, 32-year-old Song Yunfang and her family joined a waitlist at Taiziyu Cemetery to have their grandfather's remains buried under a tree. The cemetery is one of a few designated hubs for free ecological interment under the municipal bureau.

"My grandfather had expressed that he didn't want to be confined to a specific place and preferred a more natural and free approach," Song said.

"We also felt that maintaining a traditional grave required regular visits and upkeep, which could be challenging with family members living abroad."

The family was told that it could take a year to find a place for their grandfather in a collective burial ceremony, due to high demand. About 60 families usually participate in the monthly ceremony from May to October, according to Song.

Once notified about the ceremony, the remains are temporarily stored at an office under the management of Beijing Funeral Service, then transferred to Taiziyu. There's no specific tree or marked location for an individual buried at the cemetery. However, there is a shared space where families can leave flowers or pay their respects in a communal area.