Sea burial, as an ancient and emerging burial method, should be a simple choice for people to return to nature after death. In ancient times, sea burials were mostly seen by seafarers, who were influenced by seafaring culture and regarded the sea as their home, so they chose to be buried at sea. In modern society, under the consideration of environmental protection and conservation of land resources, sea burial has gradually been recognized and respected. However, with the popularization of sea burial, its funeral rites and economic costs have gradually increased, making sea burial a relatively expensive funeral method.
Sea burials have their origins in a deep cultural significance, especially in regions with strong maritime cultures, such as Japan and the Nordic countries, where people have a special affection and reverence for the sea. Sea burial is seen as the best way to return the soul of the deceased to the sea, and is also considered to be a deep nostalgia and doting on the deceased. In Japan, there is an old proverb: "The dead carry the living to the sea, and the sea carries the living to the future." This reverence and respect for the sea has made sea burial a universally accepted form of burial.
However, the economic factor of burial at sea has discouraged many people. In some coastal cities, due to the limitation of land resources and the continuous use of cemeteries, many families have begun to choose sea burial as an alternative way to reduce their financial burden. However, burial at sea is not a zero-cost option. From placing the ashes in a biodegradable jar, to having to do it in a regulated sea area, to obtaining a permit through legal channels, there may be costs involved in each step. In particular, private sea burials are even more expensive due to the more personalized services they provide. This has left many families in financial distress and forced to reconsider whether to choose a burial at sea.
Sea burial, as an ancient form of burial, began with the influence of seafaring culture. In the early days, sea burials were mostly seen by seafarers, who had to choose to throw the body of the deceased into the sea due to the special circumstances. This approach has far-reaching cultural significance, representing the seafarer's reverence for the sea and his remembrance of the departed.
Over time, people's perception of burials at sea has gradually shifted. In modern society, environmental protection and conservation of land resources have become important factors for people to choose sea burial. Compared with traditional burial and cremation, sea burial is undoubtedly more friendly to the environment and the use of resources. The ocean is vast, and it can accommodate more of the deceased, merging their souls into nature forever.
However, despite the many advantages of burial at sea, its economic cost can become a burden for some families. In coastal cities, due to the scarcity of land resources and cemeteries, many people are turning to sea burial as an economical option. However, the cost of burial at sea is not cheap. In addition to the necessary expenses such as placing the ashes in a biodegradable container and purchasing a legal license, there are some additional costs to consider, such as funeral ceremonies, monuments, etc. Private burials at sea, in particular, have risen as the demand for more personalized services has increased.
Therefore, many people must consider the financial burden when choosing a burial at sea. Some families cannot afford private burials at sea, so they can only choose free or subsidized public burial services. However, these free or subsidized services often have some limitations, such as household registration requirements, waiting in line, etc. For some families who are able to do so, they may turn to more expensive private burial services at sea to meet the special needs and individualized requirements of the deceased.
In short, as a form of burial, sea burial not only has its profound cultural significance, but also faces economic challenges. Factors such as legal regulations, environmental requirements, and personalized service for burials at sea have led to high costs that make them unsuitable for all families. However, for families who can afford it, burial at sea is still an option worth considering.
The implementation of sea burial is not an easy way to implement. First of all, the cost of sea burial is high and involves many links. Families need to spend a certain amount of money to buy biodegradable urns to ensure that there is no pollution to the marine environment. In addition, the family also needs to pay for the cost of the burial vessel at sea, including the cost of the ship, labor, etc. Secondly, sea burials are not available anytime and anywhere, and need to be carried out in designated sea areas. This increases the cost of time and transportation of the remains of the family. Finally, legal qualifications and permits are also required for sea burials, which will also bring certain economic pressure and time costs.
For some areas, free or subsidized burial services at sea are beginning to ease the financial burden on families. However, these public services are usually limited by some restrictions, such as household registration requirements, waiting in line, etc. As a result, some families have had to opt for private sea burial services to meet the individual needs and special requirements of the deceased. However, the high rate of private burials at sea makes it difficult for some families to afford.
The cost and process of sea burial have an impact on people's perception of sea burial. Many people think that burial at sea should be a simple and pure way, but in reality, it is a relatively cumbersome process. To ensure that the ashes are free of contaminants, professional handling and preparation are required. In addition, sea burials must be carried out in the specified sea area, requiring prior obtaining a permit and preparing a suitable vessel. These steps make burial at sea not as simple and convenient as one might think.
In addition to economic costs and process considerations, sea burials also face some social cognitive challenges. The concept of "burial in the ground" is deeply ingrained in traditional Chinese culture, and many people still see burial as a way to honor the deceased. In addition, cremation also occupies a place in Chinese funeral methods. For many people, they want a specific place to send their thoughts and feelings of remembrance to the deceased. However, due to its particularity, it is difficult to provide such a space and place for sea burials. This is also an important challenge in the promotion of sea burials in China.
In the foreseeable future, whether sea burial can become the mainstream funeral method depends on people's awareness and acceptance of it, as well as the guidance of policies, the improvement of services and the change of social concepts. With the improvement of people's awareness of environmental protection and the reflection on traditional funeral methods, sea burials may be more widely recognized and promoted. However, in this process, social institutions and individuals need to work together to solve the various challenges and problems faced by sea burial to ensure that sea burial can truly become a sustainable burial method.