Seoul Facilities Corporation to Establish AI-Based Predictive Cremation System

The Seoul Facilities Corporation announced on April 24 that it will establish a preventive and predictive maintenance system using artificial intelligence (AI) in response to the growing demand for cremation.

The corporation has expanded cremation supply to meet demand by increasing the number of cremators and broadening operations at Seoul Memorial Park and the Seoul Metropolitan Crematorium. As a result, the operation rate of the cremators remains the highest in the country, but this has also increased the burden on the equipment. As of April 2026, the average number of cremations per cremator per day is 6.5, which is nearly double the 3.5 times recommended by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This has raised concerns about accumulated equipment fatigue and a higher risk of breakdowns.

Seoul Memorial Park overview. Seoul Metropolitan Government

원본보기 아이콘

Currently, the maintenance of cremators relies heavily on international standards, manufacturer guidelines, and operational experience. This highlights the growing need for scientific and systematic maintenance standards tailored to the operating environment and usage characteristics of cremation facilities in Korea.

In response, the corporation recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sejong University’s Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation, cremator manufacturer Sehwa Industry, and Hanyang Industry to conduct a “Study on the Appropriateness of Maintenance Cycle Selection for Cremators.”

The core focus of this study is to simulate and analyze how major cremator components change and deteriorate in high-temperature environments, and to determine the optimal inspection and replacement timing for each component based on actual operational data. Through this research, the corporation expects to prevent equipment failures in advance and maintain stable cremation services, while establishing more precise maintenance standards that will allow for more efficient budget management.

Based on the research results and maintenance history data, the corporation will also gradually build an “AI-based predictive management system” that comprehensively manages the status and life cycle of facilities. This system is intended to support data-driven management, enabling prediction of the lifespan of individual components, determination of maintenance timing, and more informed decision-making for budget planning and maintenance operations.

Kim Young-Young, President of Seoul Facilities Corporation, stated, “This study will be a pivotal turning point in shifting cremator maintenance from experience-based to data-driven management. Going forward, we plan to introduce an AI predictive management system in stages, based on the accumulated research outcomes and data, in order to provide more scientific and reliable funeral services.”

Meanwhile, the corporation is introducing various services to make memorial facilities more convenient for citizens. These include the “Sky Station Service,” which provides safe storage of remains when it is difficult to transfer them after late-hour cremations, and the “Starlight of Memories” online public funeral memorial service. This year, the corporation will also pilot an “AI-based digital ritual altar” at Yongmi 2 Cemetery.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.