Due to the Surge in COVID-19 Deaths... Government Orders "Nationwide Cremation Facilities to Operate Each Furnace 7 Times"

Recommendation for Cremation of Out-of-Area Deceased
Additional Burial Space Also Established

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The 'standard of operating each cremation furnace 7 times' will be applied to 60 cremation facilities nationwide, and cremation of deceased persons from outside the jurisdiction will be temporarily allowed. This measure was introduced by the government as the backlog at crematories has not been resolved after COVID-19 deaths exceeded 2,000 in the past week.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 22nd that it has prepared additional measures to expand cremation capacity and storage space.

Previously, the government expanded the operation of cremation furnaces nationwide and extended operating hours starting from the 16th. As a result, daily cremation capacity increased from 1,044 cases (March 4) to 1,279 cases (March 15), and 1,424 cases (March 21). However, due to the concentration of deaths and cremation demand in metropolitan areas such as the Seoul Capital Area and major cities, regional imbalance issues have not been resolved.

Accordingly, the 'standard of operating each cremation furnace 7 times,' which was previously applied mainly in metropolitan areas such as the Seoul Capital Area and major cities, will now be applied to all 60 cremation facilities nationwide. Additionally, the government recommended 17 provincial and city governments to temporarily allow cremation of deceased persons from outside their jurisdictions, even if local ordinances prohibit it.

As the utilization rates of hospital morgues and funeral home storage rooms increase, additional storage spaces will also be established. Currently, there are 1,136 funeral homes nationwide operating refrigerated storage units capable of holding 8,706 bodies. However, to prepare for a possible surge in deaths, the government plans to secure extra space in medical institutions, funeral homes, and crematories to install additional refrigerated storage units and build indoor and outdoor low-temperature storage rooms. The additional storage space established at crematories will be used to temporarily store deceased persons who have completed funeral rites at funeral homes but are waiting due to the inability to reserve cremation slots.

Furthermore, the government requested all 1,136 funeral homes nationwide to accept funerals for COVID-19 deceased, ensuring that COVID-19 deaths can be handled at all funeral homes just like other deceased persons.

Minister Kwon Deok-cheol stated, "Through these measures, we hope to alleviate some of the inconveniences faced by bereaved families during funeral procedures and help them honor the deceased with dignity." He also urged, "Please make efforts to share cremation demand within nearby jurisdictions to prevent concentration of cremation demand in specific areas."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.