China has moved to prohibit the storage of cremated human remains and ashes in residential apartments, targeting a growing practice driven by soaring funeral costs, limited cemetery space, and shifting property dynamics in urban areas.
Under new funeral management regulations set to take effect this week, authorities will ban the use of residential properties for keeping ashes of the deceased and restrict burials to officially designated public cemeteries. The move comes just ahead of the Qingming festival, a traditional occasion when families honour their ancestors by visiting graves and performing rituals.
The ban addresses the emergence of so-called “bone ash apartments” — vacant flats repurposed by families into makeshift memorial spaces. These units are often converted into ancestral shrines, with urns arranged by generation alongside incense, candles, and ceremonial decorations.
The trend has gained traction in recent years due to economic and demographic pressures. Rapid urbanisation and a sharply ageing population have intensified competition for burial plots in cities, where land is scarce and expensive. At the same time, the cost of funerals in China ranks among the highest globally, placing significant financial strain on families.
Adding to this shift is the difference in property rights. Cemetery plots are typically leased for around 20 years, after which renewal fees apply, whereas residential apartments come with usage rights of up to 70 years. This disparity has led many to view apartments as a more stable and cost-effective alternative for housing the remains of loved ones.
The phenomenon has also been influenced by China’s recent real estate downturn. Property prices in some areas have dropped significantly in recent years, making unused apartments more accessible and, in some cases, cheaper than burial plots. As a result, some families have opted to purchase or repurpose flats specifically for memorial use.
However, the practice has raised concerns among authorities and residents alike. Officials argue that using housing for funerary purposes violates land-use regulations, while some residents have complained about the impact on living environments and property values.
China’s demographic trends have further compounded the issue. The country recorded approximately 11.3 million deaths in 2025, significantly outnumbering births, highlighting the growing demand for burial space and funeral services.
In response, the government has been encouraging more sustainable and space-efficient alternatives, including ecological burial methods such as sea burials and deep-ground interments. Cities like Shanghai have already reported increasing uptake of such practices, supported by subsidies and policy incentives.
Despite the new regulations, the ban has sparked debate on social media, with many questioning its enforceability and pointing to the underlying issue of high burial costs. Critics argue that without addressing affordability and access to cemetery space, the demand for unconventional solutions may persist.
The legislation signals a broader attempt by Chinese authorities to regulate evolving social practices around death and land use, as the country grapples with the dual challenges of urban transformation and a rapidly ageing population.
